Dark Days in Riddleport

The city of Riddleport is no place for the naive. Founded by pirates and ruled
by criminals, Varisia’s most lawless city chews up the weak and foolhardy.
In other words, it’s a perfect home for adventurers! Take the first step into
Riddleport, the starting city for Pathfinder’s Second Darkness Adventure
Path. The information contained herein gives players the edge they need
to face this deadly quest, with new rules, details on making campaign-
specific characters, and background information no adventurer should
be without. Even if you aren’t playing the Second Darkness Adventure
Path, this booklet is filled with all new spells, magic items, and character
options perfect for any game.

Inside this Pathfinder Companion, you’ll find:

• Details and roles for every character race and
class, specifically tied to Pathfinder’s Second
Darkness Adventure Path but usable in
any campaign!
• Riddleport’s gazetteer, including everything
you need to know about its government,
prominent locations, important characters,
Riddleport slang, and more!
• Character Traits and special features that
instantly tie characters into the campaign and
grant benefits to aid in adventures to come!
• New spells, new magic items, new feats, and a
new prestige class!
• Full-color maps of Varisia and Riddleport,
the City of Cyphers!

Printed in China. PZO9401

Second Darkness
paizo.com/pathfinder
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 COMPANION

Second Darkness Player’s Guide

Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Second Darkness Player’s Guide 4
Welcome to Riddleport 16
Combat 22
Faith 24
Magic 26
Social 28
Persona 30
Preview 32

Editor-in-Chief • James Jacobs Cartographer

Art Director • Drew Pocza Rob Lazzaretti
Managing Editor • Mike McArtor Contributing Artists
Editors • F. Wesley Schneider and James L. Sutter Andrew Hou, Chuck Luckas, Liu Yang
Copy Editor • Christopher Carey
Editorial Assistance • Jason Bulmahn and Vic Wertz Paizo CEO • Lisa Stevens
Editorial Intern • Claudia Golden Vice President of Operations • Jeff Alvarez
Graphic Design Assistance • Sarah E. Robinson Director of Sales & Marketing • Joshua J. Frost
Managing Art Director • James Davis Corporate Accountant • Dave Erickson
Publisher • Erik Mona Staff Accountant • Christopher Self
Technical Director • Vic Wertz
Contributing Authors Online Retail Coordinator • Jacob Burgess
James Jacobs, F. Wesley Schneider, Amber E. Scott, Greg A. Vaughan

Cover Artist Special Thanks

Vincent Dutrait The Paizo Customer Service and Warehouse Teams

This product is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the 3.5 edition of the world’s most popular fantasy roleplaying game. The OGL can be found on page 32 of this product.
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper
names (characters, deities, artifacts, places, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, language, incidents, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress.
Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity (see above), the contents of this Paizo Publishing game product are Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d).
No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission. To learn more about the Open Game License and the d20 System License,
please visit wizards.com/d20.
Paizo Publishing, LLC
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paizo.com
Paizo Publishing and the golem logo are registered trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC. Pathfinder and Pathfinder Companion are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC. © 2008, Paizo Publishing, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. Printed in China.
 COMPANION
Hello Goodbye
Welcome, gentle reader! As you’ve undoubtedly noticed,
this product is not like the player’s guides we published for
Rise of the Runelords and Curse of the Crimson Throne.
With this, the Second Darkness Pathfinder Companion, we
not only launch a new Adventure Path, but we also launch a
whole new product line: Pathfinder Companion.
Each bi-monthly Pathfinder Companion focuses on
a particular topic tied to Golarion or the Pathfinder
Chronicles Campaign Setting and comes out on the
months opposite Pathfinder Modules. A Pathfinder
Companion is made up of three sections: an examination
of the main topic in roughly 10 pages, a close look at some
location important to the topic at hand (in the case of
companions that focus on a location, this will be a city
or other specific place within the covered area), and five
short treatments offering new rules elements for use with
the topic: a prominent NPC and four based on classic
character archetypes. Every third Pathfinder Companion
2
acts as the player’s guide to the Adventure Path launching
that same month. Even if you don’t play in that particular
Adventure Path, though, you are sure to find something
useful—just as with every companion.
The Pathfinder Companion comes out of multiple
requests from among our readers to provide more player-
friendly information. With the Adventure Path products
and modules, we definitely had the GMs in our audience
covered. Our Pathfinder Chronicles line does a good job of
presenting information for both GMs and players, but in
most of those products there are sections that could spoil
certain plotlines for players. Not so with the Pathfinder
Companion. Nothing in here or future companions should
spoil any surprises for players, making these products 100%
safe for GMs to share with their groups. That isn’t to say
there’s nothing in here for GMs, though. On the contrary:
since everything available to players is also available to game
masters, every Pathfinder Companion presents 32 pages of
information you as the GM can use to make your campaigns
even more immersive.

Be Guided, Ye Players
For this particular Pathfinder Companion, the topic at
hand is the Second Darkness Adventure Path. In this
companion, we introduce a structured and expansive
traits section. We first introduced traits in the Curse of
the Crimson Throne Player’s Guide, but with this player’s
guide we set out more defined rules and a much greater
variety. Originally conceived by James Jacobs, I had the
opportunity to work from his excellent ideas to build the
framework of the traits system for the Pathfinder Chronicles
Campaign Setting (which also releases this month!). When
the system got cut from that book for space concerns,
we decided to add it to this player’s guide. We hope you
like the new traits system, because you’re likely to see a
lot of it. It’s our intent to add new traits to the system
in every Pathfinder Companion, expanding your options
every 2 months.
Because the Second Darkness Adventure Path begins
in the hive of scholars and villainy known as Riddleport,
this companion’s location piece examines that unique
City of Cyphers on Varisia’s northwestern coast. Following
the Riddleport section comes five discussions full of
useful mechanics from Amber Scott, including a Second
Darkness-themed prestige class, spells for Riddleport’s
cyphermages, a look at worshipers of Cayden Cailean, and
magic items useful in exploring underground realms.
Then, closing out the section, comes the NPC Lavender
Lil, a locally infamous worker of the oldest profession
intimately tied into the waning Vancaskerkin fortunes.
Hopefully all this will prepare your characters for what’s
coming up in Second Darkness.
Fare Thee Well, My Friends
In 4-1/2 years of working at Paizo, I have only taken the
opportunity to directly address you, our gentle readers
(best in the world!), twice. Once in the Pathfinder Chronicles
Campaign Setting hardcover and once here. By a strange
series of coincidences and not-so-coincidences, both of
these forewords come out in the same month and both of
them represent the end of my stint at Paizo Publishing.
I started in November, 2003, as an assistant editor
on the beloved (and missed) Dragon magazine. Wesley
Schneider and I started at the same time, and together
we shepherded Dragon for 44 issues, from spy-filled
#316 through to the nostalgiatastic #359. With the end
of Dragon and Dungeon’s print incarnations and the rise
of Pathfinder, Wes and I stopped working on the same
team. He went on to work on the Pathfinder Adventure
Paths and I became editor of… well… everything. For
a while, everything Paizo put out went past my eyes,
making me quite knowledgeable about Golarion and
Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting continuity.
For that reason, as well as my organizational skills, I
Introduction
was blessed with the lead position on the campaign
setting’s hardcover and with launching this whole new
line of products. As of writing this,I’ve assigned the next
two companions to some excellent writers. Pathfinder
Companion: Elves, coming out in a couple months,
is being written by industry veteran Jeff Quick and
frequent Dragon contributor (and RPG Superstar Top
16 finisher) Hal Maclean. The third companion, set in
wondrous Osirion, comes from the fertile imaginations
of designer Todd Stewart and RPG Superstar Top 4
finisher Jason Nelson.
My favorite part of this job is working with the writers,
some of whom have been in this industry since the heady
days of 1st edition in the late 70s. It has also been my great
pleasure to help novices become recognized names in the
industry, aiding in the careers of several reliable and
talented writers.
When I announced my resignation I feared Paizo
might not be able to find a replacement with the varied
yet narrow skill set I have developed in the past 4-1/2
years, that James, Wes, Jason, and Sutter would have to
train a proofreader to become an editor. Despair not, my
friends, for Paizo once again worked its magic to not only
replace me, but to find an upgrade! My replacement on
the Pathfinder Chronicles and Pathfinder Companion lines
is himself a master of gaming lore and an all-around nice
guy. I speak here of Sean K Reynolds, who, as it turns out,
helped me land my first freelance gig in the d20 industry
that ultimately landed me my job at Paizo. So while this
is the last (and first!) foreword I will be writing for you,
I promise you’re going to like what you’ll see from these
products in the future.
Lest you fear this is the last you’ll hear from me, take
heart: I plan to continue writing for Paizo as a freelancer
for as long as they want to give me projects to work on.
Now I just need to get Sean to assign me a Companion
once in a while.
Thanks for many great years!
Mike McArtor
Editor
Pathfinder Companion
3
 COMPANION
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
A foul omen looms in the sky over the scoundrel city of
Riddleport, an ominous shadow that defies the light. Is
it a curse laid millennia ago by forgotten mages? Does it
forewarn against the return of some terrible foe? Or does
it portend a terrible new era, a second Age of Darkness?
Welcome to the Second Darkness Adventure Path!
This campaign will take your character from the pirate’s
haven of Riddleport to lands unknown, far across—and
deep below—the continent of Avistan. What follows is
everything you’ll need to make a character specially suited
to the challenges and trials that await, and new rules to give
you the edge you’ll need to combat the dark. Also within
lies a description of Riddleport, the City of Cyphers, meant
to familiarize you with the campaign’s starting city and
quite possibly your character’s new home. Everything you
need to survive the coming dangers lies before you, so read
closely, choose wisely, and prepare for the darkness.
4
RACES
Humans dominate the majority of the cities along
Varisia’s coast, and Riddleport proves no different. Yet,
in this den of outcasts and brigands, races rarely seen
among the civilized lands of the south—such as half-
elves, half-orcs, and tieflings—gather in significantly
greater numbers. Dwarf or elf, halfling or human, the
residents of Riddleport holds few qualms over whom or
what they’re willing to exploit.
Humans
As the dominant race in Riddleport, humans can be
found occupying almost every occupation in the City of
Cyphers, including most of the positions of power and
influence. Although Chelaxians and settled Varisians
make up the majority of Riddleport’s population,

representatives of nearly every ethnicity in Avistan and
Garund find their way to the pirate port. Kellishite and
Garundi traders sail their sharp-sailed vessels beneath
the arch of the Cyphergate, bringing with them the
exotic garb, art, and weapons of their people. Proud Ulfen
warriors from the Land of the Linnorm Kings regularly
make grudging stops in Riddleport, trading the wares
of their homeland and the spoils of raids in the city’s
markets. Traders, pirates, and privateers of Chelish and
Taldan descent compete on the open seas, eager to steal
the greatest riches back to the ports of their homeland.
Many of Varisia’s natives also find their way to
Riddleport. Among them, wandering Varisians delight
in the city’s wild spirit and exotic sites, making the city a
favored spot even over Magnimar and Korvosa to the south.
The criminal Sczarni—families and gangs of Varisian
thieves—particularly relish Riddleport’s anything-
goes, lawless atmosphere, and take every opportunity to
bilk foreign travelers of their gold. Even the occasional
Shoanti makes his way to the City of Cyphers. While the
sea-faring barbarians of the Shadde-Quah occupy the
cliffs and sea vales of the nearby Calphiaks, they have
few dealings with Riddleport’s unruly populace, seeing
them—rightly so—as untrustworthy and dishonorable.
Occasionally, members of the Shriikirri-Quah journey
to the outskirts of the city to trade their famously well-
bred horses, but rarely travel within the city walls. Those
Shoanti seen within the city are typically outcasts and
dishonored warriors, seeking a new life in their shame
and often becoming laborers, brawlers, or pit fighters.
Aside from controlling many of Riddleport’s criminal
enterprises, humans make up the majority of the city’s
scholars and clergy. The increasingly influential Order of
Cyphers and the academics of the Windward District are
filled with both native-born and well-traveled intellectuals
seeking to unravel the mysteries of Varisia’s ancient past.
The city’s several temples also support primarily human
clergy and congregations—although locally several
tieflings extol Calistria’s tenents, and Cayden Cailean’s
following is particularly diverse.
Dwarves
Many of the dwarves of Janderhoff find Riddleport a
lawless place unfit for proper business and devoid of
interest in true craftsmanship—and they’re not wrong.
The promise of profit often overshadows such scruples,
though. Funded wholly by a faceless consortium of
investors from Janderhoff, Riddleport’s Gas Forges
employ a sizable number of dwarves, either as miners in
the deadly underground carbauxine mines or as smiths
in the complex forges above. Aside from those dwarves
committed or crazed enough to sacrifice years of their
lives working among the poisonous forges, opportunistic
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
dwarves sometimes migrate to the city. These usually
adventurous dwarves often hope to make names and
fortunes for themselves by bringing a degree of much
lacked skilled labor to the city, or simply to turn a profit
selling dwarven goods to travelers from afar. Those with
no interest or skill in mining or trading find Riddleport’s
air of constant change, danger, and wild opportunity a
liberating change from stifling dwarven traditions.
Elves
With little interest in so uncouth and dangerous a
community, especially one so nearby the splendor of the
Mierani Forest, elves rarely deign to walk the streets of
Riddleport. While on rare occasions a lone Mierani hunter
or desperate elven traveler might find himself forced to
take shelter among the city’s vagrants and thieves, such
visits prove rare. Mierani criminals, outcasts forced to
flee their wooded homeland, and those afflicted with
dangerous wanderlust, appear slightly more frequently.
Similarly, individuals from far-off lands are just as likely
to make their way to Riddleport as those of the nearby
forests. Thus, although still uncommon, wild elves from
the Mwangi Expanse and even the aloof elves of Kyonin
are not unknown.
Gnomes
Some daring gnomes eke out a dangerous life for
themselves in Riddleport. Freedom-loving folk, typically
possessing no notion of humanity’s concepts of morality,
many make profitable livings working as alchemists and
druggists for any one of the city’s criminal factions. With
their love of change and new experiences, gnomes delight
in wandering the docks and markets of Riddleport, as
foreign ships bring an endless pageant of exotic sights,
sounds, and smells to their very doors. Some also make
filthy livings plying the muck of the Velashu River,
unknowing but always eager to discover what—or whom—
they might turn up amid the slime.
Halflings
Wily gamblers, skilled sailors, and deft thieves, halflings
find great opportunity in Riddleport’s pervasive criminal
underworld. As in Korvosa to the south, many halflings
take work upon the sea, their size and nimbleness making
them especially well suited to life on sailing vessels.
Yet, for all the short-folks’ skill, thieves of other races
typically look down upon their diminutive peers, and slurs
regarding “scrawny slips” are bandied about frequently.
Many halflings take such prejudices as motivation to excel,
and they avenge themselves by outdoing their oversized
competition. A few more enlightened or greedy crime
bosses care little for the size of those in their employ,
especially when it comes to getting a job done.
5
 COMPANION

Half-Elves crowds, the city’s chaotic and underhanded nature appeals

Many of Varisia’s half-elves naturally migrate to to many. Taking to criminal ventures with ease, tieflings
Riddleport, finding few who care about their parentage participate in a wide variety of illicit plots from thieving to
among the city’s jaded populace. Quick thinkers, deft merely lending their intimidating presences to unlawful
talkers, and able workers, half-elves find great opportunity proceedings. Like other half-bloods, many tieflings come
among the city’s sailors, gamblers, merchants, and to Riddleport seeking freedom from societies that scorn
criminals. Yet, aside from more provincial occupations, and fear them. Others come to the city trying to escape
Riddleport offers half-elves a chance at respectability their own fiendish heritages, hoping to blaze new paths
such as they rarely find in other lands, whether as in the service of foreign deities, among the crew of a far-
business managers, ship captains, or, particularly, among ranging ship, or as masters of their own destinies.
the city’s gendarmes. Their keen wits and free spirits also
attract many to the Order of Cyphers and the worship of Classes
the unruly deities Calistria and Cayden Cailean. As travelers from all walks of life flock to Riddleport,
those of numerous professions and with countless skills
Half-Orcs flourish in the City of Cyphers. While Varisia’s more
Although unlikely to find acceptance even in a city of out- civilized south shuns those of more exotic or eccentric
casts and scoundrels, half-orcs embracing their human vocations, Riddleport’s residents covet and cultivate any
parentage find Riddleport the most tolerant of Vari- skills that might help turn a profit.
sia’s cities. The greed and am-
bition that drives so many Barbarians
ventures in the pirate As the northernmost human-dominated settlement in
port blinds many Varisia, Riddleport often receives visits from two wildly
employers to the different but equally volatile barbarian people. Within
specifics of one’s the nearby Calphiak Mountains and Curchain
race, and the nat- Hills live two groups of the land’s native
ural brawn and Shoanti, the Shadde-Quah and the Shriikirri-
ferocity of half- Quah, respectively. Aloof, proud, honor-
orcs make them obsessed people, the Shadde-Quah live
coveted body- off the crashing waves and jagged
guards, bouncers, cliffs of the Varisian coast, where
and brawlers. Aside they see themselves as defenders
from those who make of their homeland’s seas. They
their livings as profes- distrust non-Shoanti outsiders,
sional knee-breakers or attacking most on sight. The
combatants in Zincher’s Arena, more sociable but no less proud Shoanti of the
some half-orcs enjoy an almost human Shriikirri-Quah cultivate a spiritual connection
life, taking on everyday jobs often de- with the animals of their homeland, especially the
nied them in other lands, or ship- horses that carry them in their nomadic travels,
ping out to sea as either pirates and they occasionally trade with the foreigners
or legitimate traders. Enjoy- of the coast. It’s not uncommon to see tattooed
ing the goddess’s fickleness Shoanti, disenchanted with the ways of their
and savagery, more than one people, attempting to start new lives in the City
half-orc also dons the hemp of Cyphers. (See Pathfinder #10 for full details
vest of Besmara, goddess of pirates, on the Shoanti.)
strife, and sea monsters. Aside from the Varisian natives, skilled
and feared Ulfen seafarers from the Land
Tieflings of the Linnorm Kings sometimes venture
Enigmatic and fearful, a small to Riddleport, typically to sell and trade
number of tieflings make their goods raided from any number of coastal
home in Riddleport. Although communities. Quick to anger, but also
few of the fiend-blooded race can quick to laugh, brag, and drink, the
hope to disguise their heritage Ulfen are better understood and
even among the port’s exotic liked in Riddleport than the

6

local Shoanti, despite their not-infrequent attacks on
Riddleport ships.
As merchants and travelers from all over Avistan and
Garund venture to the City of Cyphers, strange beliefs
and barbarian cultures from across these lands trickle
into port. Thus, it’s not uncommon to see wanderers
from the northern Garundi deserts, savage Kellids from
Numeria, and even stoic tribesmen from the Mwangi
Expanse passing through or seeking work.
Bards
Along with ravenous appetites for gold and alcohol,
Riddleport has an insatiable need for entertainers. With
the city’s numerous bars, inns, gaming halls, brothels,
restaurants, clubs, and other venues, the talents of
skilled performers are constantly in demand. Wandering
songsmiths, local instrumentalists, exotic dancers,
traveling poets, long-winded scops, and entertainers
from a hundred different cities and courts throughout
the world demand high coin for their coveted services.
Riddleport crowds are fickle, though, and one day’s star
is the next day’s hack; though, conversely, yesterday’s
courtesan has a fair chance at being tomorrow’s starlet.
Thus, competition among entertainers proves fierce in the
City of Cyphers, with performers knowing that, in many
venues, a poor show might cost them much more than
just their jobs, Riddleport audiences being notoriously
physical in their disapproval. Unsurprisingly, especially
through the Wharf District, rowdy pub patrons demand
bawdy tunes and clever sea shanties in endless supply, an
art form adopted by several foul-mouthed artistes.
Clerics
Faith is fickle in Riddleport, a city that places its reverence
in luck, trickery, debauchery, and the sea. Most of the
city’s residents find it wiser to place their faith in their
own cunning and hard work than in capricious deities,
but one also can’t enter a local gambling den without
hearing praises raised to Desna’s, Cayden Cailean’s, or
Calistria’s name.
Despite the inconsistency of their flocks, Cayden
Cailean and Calistria both have well-attended temples in
the City of Cyphers—a fact that likely has less to do with
faith and more with the former being a boisterous tavern
and the latter a brothel. These two temples, the Publican’s
House and House of the Silken Veil, respectively, both
support priests and reach out to the communities at
large. The church of the goddess Besmara, a lesser deity
revered by pirates and seafarers, also keeps a small local
temple where sailors and privateers make blood offerings
in exchange for placid seas and rich hauls.
Aside from these well-rooted faiths, several priests of the
goddess Desna and Gozreh tend to small congregations
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
throughout the city, praying for fortune and fair weather in
their followers’ dealings on land and at sea. Especially along
the docks, the faithful of dozens of other deities wander the
city, some simply bringing their gods with them as they
travel, others seeking to proselytize in a new land. As the
resident faiths tend to be accepting or uncaring regarding
other beliefs, Riddleport proves quite open to foreign
dogmas—so long as they don’t interfere with business.
Druids
With the city’s reliance on the sea, druids are more
welcomed in Riddleport than most other urban
centers. Although the city as a whole cares little for its
environment—as evidenced by the disgusting state of
the Velashu River, Riddleport harbor, and the marshy
Boneyard—the city does all it can to placate the wrath of
surly nature worshipers with coins and token offerings to
Gozreh and other natural faiths. Despite their distaste for
the city, druids often come to the coasts near Riddleport to
commune with the waves and the creatures of the ocean.
Many predict that it’s only a matter of time before the fury
of nature consumes the exploitive city, but some druids
take a less damning approach to their dealings with the
city. As such, several druids take up residence near the
city’s docks, hoping to minimize the city’s impact on
the nearby bay, while others even join the crews of ships,
offering their unique abilities over the elements for the
chance to experience the open ocean.
Aside from those druids interested in the waves and forests
farther inland, some hermetic druids make their homes
deep within the Calphiaks. Among the rocks and beasts
of the mountains, these hard-souled nature worshipers
find a rugged kind of spirituality. Yet, some of these pious
explorers seek to connect not with boulders and mountain
summits, but with the very depths of the earth, delving into
the endless tunnels that thread their way through the heart
of the Calphiaks and, as some say, far beyond.
Fighters
Riddleport’s need for those with strong arms and sharp
weapons never declines, even as the city slowly slides
toward legitimacy. Although mercenaries and raiders can
always find work on any number of pirate ships, caravans,
and trading vessels, most of the city’s martial-minded
residents take jobs protecting the stakes of the city’s
numerous crime bosses. Whether as bouncers, toughs, hit
men, or racketeers, experienced and well-feared fighters
never lack for work among the gangs of the city’s extensive
underworld. Particularly bloodthirsty or brutal fighters
can also find work brawling and splitting skulls exclusively
among the city’s several outlets for blood sport, primarily
at Zincher’s Arena, where crowds pay for gory displays on
a nightly basis.
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 COMPANION
Yet, for all the grim and nefarious work opportunities
the city offers, those warriors who prefer not to be tied
directly to any of Riddleport’s several obviously criminal
enterprises have options as well. Numerous skilled
fighters find an air of questionable legitimacy among the
mercenaries that serve as the city’s gendarmes. Although
not a wholly noble organization, many these keepers of
Riddleport’s few laws and relative peace do actually strive
to aid the people of the city.
Monks
While hardly a spot to find enlightenment and spiritual
wholeness, Riddleport is a place where both martial abilities
and deception are valued commodities. As such, the skills
of those who are most deadly when unarmed and whose
appearances disguise their prowess are held in high esteem.
Although few who hone their physical skills seek worldly
comforts, those who do can find great respect and endless
work serving the city’s various crime bosses. The crowds at
Zincher’s Arena also delight in rare displays of martial arts
and, therefore, such practitioners command high prices
for such exhibitions. In some underground arenas and
fighting clubs, inelegant brawlers and hulking boxers learn
techniques similar to those of foreign monks, cultivating
bare-fisted styles less artful but no less devastating.
Aside from the rare well-trained Shoanti brawler or
wandering ascetic, few Riddleport locals adopt the path
of the monk. Rather, most such martial-masters travel
to the city from afar, either passing through as they seek
new experiences to test their skills or in search of rivals
to hone their abilities. Thus, it’s not unheard of to find
representatives of the whirling masters of Thuvia, the
stone-footed acrobats of Qadira, or the silent lamas of the
east exploring Riddleport’s docks.
Paladins
Although none of Riddleport’s prominent faiths support
paladins among their ranks, one occasionally encounters
such valorous warriors amid the city’s bustling crowds.
Some holy warriors take it as a divine challenge to bring
the word of their deity to the irreverent, especially those
clustered in cities of sin like Riddleport. Occasional
wandering paladins of Iomedae and Abadar come to the
city in the hopes of wresting a few souls from darkness
and combating the wickedness rampant in the city,
but most end up departing in frustration. More than
one such holy warrior has disappeared in Riddleport,
as crusades against the city’s potent crime lords rarely
last long or end well. Paladins of Erastil and Sarenrae
tend to have slightly more success in the city, taking
lighter approaches and ingraining themselves among
the people by providing education and healing to the
frontier city. Also, paladins of other faiths sometimes
8
pass through the City of Cyphers, hoping to cleanse the
city by ridding the still dangerous countryside of savages
and monstrous threats. In doing so, most hope to pave
the way for more decent folk to come to the region and
change the city over time.
Rangers
As one of the northernmost true cities encountered
before entering the savage Land of the Linnorm Kings
and wildernesses beyond, Riddleport is a true frontier
town. As such, numerous skilled hunters, trackers,
and explorers make their home in and around the city,
ever ready for the next expedition. In the nearby wilds,
hunters patrol the mountains in search of exotic beasts
that prey upon farms along the Velashu River, such as
wolves, firepelt cougars, harpies, and even the occasional
roc or hill giant.
Within the city, some rangers take sail aboard local
ships, and more than one shark hunter or killer of sea
monsters—such as aberrant reefclaws or magical beasts
like devilfish—keep live-in trophy halls near the city’s
wharves. Those with swift mounts make fine livings as
couriers within the city and between Riddleport and its
holdings in Roderic’s Cove. Alternatively, hunters of men
find endless outlets for their talents as hit men for the
city’s endless criminal dealings.
Recently, several local rangers have taken to exploring
the vast cave systems beneath the Calphiak Mountains.
Those who survive such dangerous expeditions
sometimes return with strange fungi and evidence of
bizarre, pale-skinned beasts.
Rogues
In a city of scoundrels, the quick-witted flourish. Rogues of
every variety and specialty find ample use for their skills
serving the city’s various crime bosses, from pickpockets
and second-story men to con artists and smugglers. Nearly
every racket has its possibilities and place in Riddleport,
and it’s not uncommon to find the most skilled scoundrels
involved in multiple schemes at the same time. Those
rogues adverse to theft and deadly dealings often make
their ways as gamblers, merchants, prostitutes, private
investigators, and even among the city’s gendarme.
Aside from those crooks in the direct employ of
Riddleport’s crime bosses, several other fledging gangs
and lone thieves seek to make names for themselves in
the City of Cyphers. Groups of Sczarni occasionally blow
into the city, running con games and quick rackets before
heading back on the road. And while crime bosses control
many of the criminal enterprises within the city, most
hold little sway outside the port’s walls. Thus, wandering
brigands and roadside thieves come from all across
Varisia to pawn their pilfered wares.

Sorcerers
Many magic-users feel a special connection to the massive,
ancient monuments that mark the Varisian landscape, with
few feeling such lures more fundamentally than sorcerers.
In a land that seems to be suffused with magical wonders,
such spellcasters often seek to learn more of the mysteries
of their own blood and improve upon their innate talents.
Many sorcerers join the ranks of the Order of Cyphers,
some even claiming evidence of ancestries relating them
to the land’s lost civilizations. Others use their magical
skills for more direct monetary gain, aiding criminals,
performing their own magic-aided cons, or participating
in the occasional spell duel at Zincher’s Arena.
Wizards
Obsessed with the secrets of its infamous monuments,
wizards have flocked to Varisia for decades, hoping to
discover ancient magics and arcane secrets amid the
enigmatic monoliths. At the vanguard of research exploring
these gigantic artifacts, the Order of Cyphers—a group
of scholars with a shared obsession—makes its home
in Riddleport. Growing in influence by the year, these
cyphermages study Varisian monuments—particularly
Riddleport’s enigmatic Cyphergate—in exhaustive
detail. Although the Order exists to share discoveries
and research, many cyphermages prove dangerously
competitive, keeping their findings from one another and
even sabotaging the inquiries of their peers.
Cyphermages are not alone in Riddleport, though.
The skills of talented magic users go far in both trade
and criminal enterprises. Some wizards make tidy profits
selling simple scrolls and potions, especially of spells that
prove particularly useful at sea. Others join the ranks of
the city’s underworld elite, their divinations and illusions
aiding rival crime bosses in spying and misleading one
another. Several of the city’s better-funded gambling dens
also keep house wizards on staff, using their magic to watch
for cheaters. Aboard the ships of pirates and privateers,
ship wizards are also highly respected and paid, their skills
proving invaluable in crippling the vessels of enemies and
defending against any number of sea-spawn threats.
Character Traits
Playing an Adventure Path is a different experience than
playing in a one-shot adventure. An Adventure Path
presents a long, ongoing campaign, but unlike a custom-
created campaign built by a specific GM for a group of
players whose tastes and proclivities in character creation
are known quantities, we don’t know what kinds of choices
your players prefer when building their characters. As
a result, one of the driving philosophies of crafting an
Adventure Path is to include sections for all 11 of the core
classes, so that no one feels “left out” by the game.
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
But what about the less tangible elements of game
play? If you’re rolling up a new character for a home-
brew campaign, you can (hopefully) trust your GM
to tailor the campaign to include your character and
his history and personality. For an Adventure Path,
though, how is a player to know what choices and what
backgrounds might dovetail into the predetermined
story arc of the campaign he’s about to spend several
months playing, without spoiling key components of
the adventure’s plotline?
That’s the question that the Adventure Path Player’s
Guides have attempted to address. In all of the Player’s
Guides, including this one, we attempt to provide not only
a gazetteer of the region in which the campaign begins,
but also a spoiler-free discussion on what choices might
be best to make when creating a dwarf, an elf, a sorcerer,
a ranger, and so on. Yet there’s another tool that’s been
evolving over the past year as well: the Character Trait.
The first incarnation of this new element to your
character appeared in the Rise of the Runelords Player’s
Guide, disguised as six new feats that your new character
could take (we recommended that GMs allow players to
pick one of these six as a bonus feat). These new feats were
more than just additional tricks and powers, though;
they were crafted to infuse newly created characters with
built-in links to the then brand-new realm of Varisia.
In the Curse of the Crimson Throne Player’s Guide, we
abandoned the bonus feat model and instead came up
with several traits from which new players could pick and
choose. Each trait granted one of two relatively minor
bonuses, but the majority of each trait consisted of flavor
and background information intended to prime your new
character for the start of the campaign.
And that brings us here, to the Second Darkness Player’s
Guide and the finally solidified Character Trait mechanic.
Character Trait Design Philosophy
At its core, a Character Trait is approximately equal in
power to half a feat—in fact, at one point, we considered
calling them “Half Feats” but abandoned that idea when we
realized it implied a point-based system that didn’t really
exist (there’s no such thing, for example, as a “Double Feat”).
Yet a Character Trait isn’t just another kind of power you
can add on to your character—it’s a way to quantify (and
encourage) building a character background that fits into
the world of Golarion. Think of Character Traits as “story
seeds” for your background; after you pick your two traits,
you’ll have a point of inspiration from which to build your
character’s personality and history. Alternatively, if you’ve
already got a background in your head or written down for
your character, you can view picking his traits as a way to
quantify that background, just as picking race and class and
ability scores quantifies his strengths and weaknesses.
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 COMPANION
One more thing: Character Traits are for PCs. If you
want an NPC to have traits, that NPC will need to “buy”
them with the Additional Traits feat. Player characters are
special; they’re the stars of the game, after all, and if they
have an advantage over the NPCs of the world in this way,
that kind of makes sense. The pregenerated characters
presented in Pathfinder and the modules will not have
bonus traits selected for them—we’re leaving those choices
to you if you wish to use one of them as a PC.
Many traits grant a new type of bonus: a “trait” bonus.
Trait bonuses do not stack—they’re intended to give you a
slight edge over the non-PCs of the world, not a secret back-
door way to focus all your traits on one type of bonus to gain
an unseemly advantage over the rules. It’s certainly possible,
for example, that somewhere down the line, a “Courageous”
trait might be on the list of Dwarf Racial Traits, but just
because this trait’s on the Dwarf Racial Traits list and the
Basic Combat Traits list doesn’t mean you’re any more brave
if you choose both than if you choose only one.
Gaining Traits
When you create your character for
Second Darkness, ask your GM how
many traits you can select. In most
cases, a new PC should gain two
traits, effectively gaining a bonus feat
at character creation. Some GMs may
wish to limit this somewhat, depending
upon their style of play; you may only
be able to pick one trait, or your GM
might allow three or more. Even if
your GM doesn’t allow bonus traits,
you should still be able to pick up
some with the Additional Traits
feat (see the sidebar on page 12).
For Second Darkness, there are
two categories of traits to choose
from. One of your Traits must
be a Campaign trait chosen
from the list starting on
page 14—this trait ties
your character into the
Second Darkness storyline and
gives you a built-in reason to be-
gin the first adventure, “Shadow
in the Sky.” Your other trait should
be chosen from one of the four types
of Basic Traits: Combat, Faith, Magic, or
Social. Note that each of these four categories
roughly equates to the four modes of adven-
turing, but aren’t tied to specific classes. It’s
perfectly possible to have a religious rogue, for
example, or a magic-obsessed fighter.
10
But we don’t intend on stopping there! With each new
Pathfinder Companion, you can look forward to us introducing
additional traits. These new traits will fall into one of three
categories: Racial, Regional, and Religion. If you’re creating
a Second Darkness character after additional Pathfinder
Companions have become available, you can certainly choose
to pick a Racial, Regional, or Religion Trait as your second
trait, but your initial trait should always be one selected
from the Second Darkness Campaign Traits list.
Types of Traits
There are five types of Character Traits to choose from,
although at the time of this book’s printing, only two (Basic
and Campaign) are available; these traits are described
on pages 11–15. The other three categories of traits are
listed below—expect to see traits from these categories in
future Pathfinder Companions!
Racial Traits: Racial Traits
are keyed to specific races or
ethnicities. In order to select a
Racial Trait, your character must
be of the trait’s race or ethnicity.
If your race or ethnicity changes
at some later point (as could
be possible due to the result of
polymorph magic or a reincarnation
spell), the benefits gained by your
racial trait persist—only if your mind
and memories change as well do you
lose the benefits of a Racial Trait. Of
course, in such an event, you’re also
likely to lose skills, feats, and a
whole lot more!
Regional Traits: Regional Traits
are keyed to specific regions, be they
large (such as a nation or geographic
region) or small (such as a city or a
specific mountain). In order to select
a Regional Trait, your PC must have
spent at least a year living in that
region. Note that at first level, you can
only select one Regional Trait (typically
the one tied to your character’s place of
birth or homeland), despite the number of
regions you might wish to write into your
character’s background.
Religion Traits: Religion Traits indicate
that your character has an established faith
in a specific deity; you need not be a member
of a class that can wield divine magic to pick
a Religion Trait, but you do have to have a
patron deity and have some amount of religion
in your background to justify this trait.

Unlike the other four categories of traits, Religion Traits
can go away if you abandon your religion, as detailed below
under Restrictions.
Restrictions on Trait Selection
There are a few rules governing trait selections. To begin
with, your GM controls how many bonus traits a PC begins
with; the default assumption is two traits. When selecting
traits, you may not select more than one from the same
list of traits. Certain types of traits may have additional
requirements, as detailed in the section above.
Remember also that traits are intended to model events
that were formative in your character’s development,
either before he became an adventurer, or (in the case
of additional traits gained via the Additional Traits feat)
events that happened while adventuring. Even if you
become a hermit and abandon society, you’ll still retain
your legacy of growing up an aristocrat if you took a Social
Trait. The one exception to this is Religion Traits—since
these traits require continued faith in a specific deity, you
can indeed lose the benefits of these traits if you switch
religions. In this case, consult your GM for your options.
He may simply rule that you lose that trait, or he might
allow you to pick a new Religion Trait tied to your new
deity. Another option is that if you abandon a religion,
you lose the associated Religion Traits until you gain
an experience level, at which point you may replace lost
Religion Traits with Basic Faith Traits.
Basic Traits
These traits are broken down into four categories.
Combat Traits focus on martial and physical aspects
of your character’s background. Faith Traits focus on
his religious and philosophical leanings. Magic Traits
focus on any magical events or training he may have had
in his past. And Social Traits is both a catch-all category
and one that indicates what social class or upbringing
your PC had.
Combat Traits
These traits are associated with combat, battle, and
physical prowess; they give characters minor bonuses in
battle and represent conflicts and physical struggles in
the character’s backstory.
1 Anatomist: You have studied the workings of anatomy,
either as a student at university or as an apprentice
mortician or necromancer. You know where to aim your
blows to strike vital organs and you gain a +1 trait bonus
on all rolls made to confirm critical hits.
2 Armor Expert: You have worn armor as long as you can
remember, either as part of your training to become a
knight’s squire or simply because you were seeking to
emulate a hero. Your childhood armor wasn’t the real
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
thing as far as protection, but it did encumber you as
much as real armor would have, and you’ve grown used to
moving in such suits with relative grace. When you wear
armor of any sort, reduce that suit’s armor check penalty
by 1, to a minimum check penalty of 0.
3 Bullied: You were bullied often as a child, and you are now
constantly ready to defend yourself with your fists when
an enemy comes near. You gain a +1 trait bonus on attacks
of opportunity attack rolls made with unarmed strikes.
Note that this trait does not grant the ability to make
attacks of opportunity with your unarmed strikes—you’ll
need to take a level of monk, the Improved Unarmed
Strike feat, or some other similar power to gain the use
of this Character Trait. However, that doesn’t prevent you
from selecting this trait. You’ll simply not be able to make
use of it until a later point if you do.
4 Courageous: Your childhood was brutal, yet you persevered
primarily through force of will and the hope that no
matter how hard things might get, as long as you kept a
level head you’d make it through. You gain a +2 trait bonus
on saving throws against fear effects.
5 Deft Dodger: Growing up in a rough neighborhood or a
dangerous environment has honed your senses. You gain
a +1 trait bonus on Reflex saves..
6 Dirty Fighter: You wouldn’t have lived to make it out
of childhood without the aid of a sibling, friend, or
companion on whom you could always count to distract
your enemies long enough to do a little bit more damage
than normal. That companion may be another PC or
an NPC (who may even be recently departed from your
side). When you hit a foe you are flanking, you deal an
additional 1 point of damage (this damage is added to
your base damage, and is multiplied on a critical hit). This
additional damage is a trait bonus.
7 Fencer: You trained long hours as a youth with blades,
either taking lessons in the genteel art of fencing from
tutors paid for by your parents or by being taken under
the wing of a disenfranchised fencer who may have turned
to a life of crime. You gain a +1 trait bonus on attacks of
opportunity made with daggers, swords, and similar
bladed weapons.
8 Killer: You made your first kill at a very young age and
found the task of war or murder to your liking. You either
take particular pride in a well-placed blow, or vile pleasure
in such a strike as you twist the blade to maximize the
pain. You deal additional damage equal to your weapon’s
critical hit modifier when you score a successful critical
hit with a weapon; this additional damage is added to
the final total, and is not multiplied by the critical hit
multiple itself. This extra damage is a trait bonus.
9 Reactionary: You were bullied often as a child, but
never quite developed an offensive response. Instead,
you became adept at anticipating sudden attacks and
11
 COMPANION
New Feat: Additional Traits
You have more traits than normal.
Benefit: You gain two Character Traits of your choice.
These traits must be chosen from different lists, and
cannot be chosen from lists from which you have already
selected a Character Trait. You must meet any additional
qualifications for the Character Traits you choose—this
feat cannot enable you to select a Dwarf Character Trait if
you are an elf, for example.
reacting to danger quickly. You gain a +2 trait bonus to
Initiative checks.
10 Resilient: Growing up in a violent neighborhood or in the
unforgiving wilds often forced you to subsist on food and
water from doubtful sources. You’ve built up your mettle
as a result, and gain a +1 trait bonus on Fortitude saves.
Faith Traits
These traits rely upon conviction of spirit, perception,
and religion, but are not directly tied to the worship of
a specific deity. You do not need a patron deity to gain
a Faith Trait, as these traits can represent conviction in
one’s self or philosophy just as easily as they can represent
dedication to a deity.
1 Birthmark: You were born with a strange birthmark that
looks very similar to the holy symbol of the god you
chose to worship later in life. This birthmark can serve
you as a divine focus for casting spells, and, as a physical
manifestation of your faith, increases your devotion to
your god—you gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving throws
against charm and compulsion effects as a result.
2 Caretaker: As the child of an herbalist or an assistant in
a temple infirmary, you often had to assist in tending to
the sick and wounded. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Heal
checks, and Heal is always a class skill for you.
3 Child of the Temple: You have long served at a temple
in a city, and not only did you pick up on many of the
nobility’s customs, you spent much time in the temple
libraries studying your faith. You gain a +1 trait bonus on
Knowledge (nobility and royalty) and Knowledge (religion)
checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a
class skill for you.
4 Devotee of the Green: Your faith in the natural world or one
of the gods of nature makes it easy for you to pick up on
related concepts. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge
(geography) and Knowledge (nature) checks, and one of
these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.
5 Ease of Faith: Your mentor, the person who invested your
faith in you from an early age, took steps to ensure that
you understood that what powers your divine magic is
no different than that which powers the magic of other
12
religions. This philosophy makes it easier for you to
interact with others who may not share your views. You
gain a +1 bonus on Diplomacy checks, and Diplomacy is
always a class skill for you.
6 History of Heresy: You were raised with heretical views
that have made it not only difficult for you to accept most
religious beliefs, but you also have had to live with the fact
that you or those you love were often treated as pariahs. As
a result, you have turned your back on religious teachings,
and as long as you do not possess any levels in a class that
grants divine spellcasting power, you gain a +1 trait bonus
on all saving throws made against divine spells.
7 Indomitable Faith: You were born in a region where
your faith was not popular, yet you never abandoned it.
Your constant struggle to maintain your own faith has
bolstered your drive; you gain a +1 trait bonus on Will
saves as a result.
8 Sacred Conduit: Your birth was particularly painful and
difficult for your mother, who needed potent divine magic
to ensure you survived; your mother may or may not have
survived. In any event, the magic infused you from an
early age, and you now channel divine energy with greater
ease than most. Whenever you channel divine energy to
turn or rebuke undead, you gain a +2 trait bonus on the
Turn/Rebuke Undead check.
9 Sacred Touch: You were exposed to a potent source of
positive energy as a child, perhaps by being born under the
right cosmic sign, or maybe because one of your parents was
a gifted healer. As a standard action, you may automatically
stabilize a dying creature merely by touching it.
10 Scholar of the Great Beyond: Your great interests as a
child did not lie with current events or the mundane—
you have always felt out of place, as if you were born in the
wrong era. You take to philosophical discussions of the
Great Beyond and of historical events with ease. You gain
a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (history) and Knowledge
(the planes) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is
always a class skill for you.
Magic Traits
These traits are associated with magic, and focus on
spellcasting and manipulating magic. You need not be a
spellcaster to take a Magic Trait (although several of these
traits aren’t as useful to non-spellcasters). Magic Traits
can represent a character’s early exposure to magical
effects or childhood studies of magic.
1 Classically Schooled: Your apprenticeship or early education
was particularly focused on the direct application of magic.
You gain a +1 trait bonus on Spellcraft checks, and Spellcraft
is always a class skill for you.
2 Dangerously Curious: You have always been intrigued by
magic, possibly because you were the child of a magician
or priest. You often snuck into your parent’s laboratory or

shrine to tinker with spell components and magic devices,
and often caused quite a bit of damage and headaches for
your parent as a result. You gain a +1 bonus on Use Magic
Device checks, and Use Magic Device is always a class skill
for you.
3 Focused Mind: Your childhood was either dominated
by lessons of some sort (be they musical or academic) or
by a horrible home life that encouraged your ability to
block out distractions to focus on the immediate task at
hand. You gain a +1 bonus on Concentration checks, and
Concentration is always a class skill for you.
4 Gifted Adept: Your interest in magic was inspired by
witnessing a spell being cast in a particularly dramatic
method, perhaps even one that affected you physically or
spiritually. This early exposure to magic has made it easier
for you to work similar magic on your own. Pick one spell
when you choose this trait—from this point on, whenever
you cast that spell, its effects manifest at +1 caster level.
5 Hedge Magician: You apprenticed for a time to a
craftsman who often built magic items, and he taught
you many handy shortcuts and cost-saving techniques.
Whenever you craft a magic item, you reduce the cost of
gp and XP required to make the item by 5%.
6 Magical Knack: You were raised, either wholly or in part, by
a magical creature, either after it found you abandoned in
the woods or because your parents often left you in the care
of a magical minion. This constant exposure to magic has
made its mysteries easy for you to understand, even when
you turn your mind to other devotions and tasks. Pick a
class when you gain this trait—your caster level in that class
gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus doesn’t increase
your caster level higher than your current Hit Dice.
7 Magical Lineage: One of your parents was a gifted
spellcaster who not only used metamagic often, but
developed many magical items and perhaps even a new
spell or two—and you have inherited a fragment of this
greatness. Pick one spell when you choose this trait.
When you apply metamagic feats to this spell, treat its
actual level as 1 lower for determining the spell’s final
adjusted level.
8 Magical Talent: Either from inborn talent, whimsy of
the gods, or obsessive study of strange tomes, you have
mastered the use of a cantrip. Choose a 0-level spell. You
may cast that spell once per day as a spell-like ability. This
spell-like ability is cast at your highest caster level gained;
if you have no caster level, it functions at CL 1st. The spell-
like ability’s Save DC is Charisma-based.
9 Mathematical Prodigy: Mathematics has always come
easily for you, and you have always been able to “see the
math” in the physical and magical world. You gain a +1
bonus on Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (architecture
and engineering) checks, and one of these skills (your
choice) is always a class skill for you.
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
10 Skeptic: Growing up, you were always around magical
effects to the extent that you realized that much of it was
smoke and mirrors. You gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving
throws against illusions.
Social Traits
Social Traits are a sort of catch-all category—these traits
reflect the social upbringing of your character, your
background with high society or lack thereof, and your
history with parents, siblings, friends, competitors, and
enemies.
1 Adopted: You were adopted and raised by someone not of
your actual race, and raised in a society not your own. As
a result, you picked up a Racial Trait from your adoptive
parents and society, and may immediately select a Racial
Trait from your adoptive parents’ race.
2 Bully: You grew up in an environment where the meek
were ignored and you often had to resort to threats
or violence to be heard. You gain a +1 trait bonus on
Intimidate checks, and Intimidate is always a class skill
for you.
3 Canter: You grew up among thieves and scoundrels, and
their unusual speech patterns and turns of phrase don’t
phase you in the slightest today as a result. Anyone who
attempts to use Bluff to deliver a secret message to you
gains a +5 bonus on his Bluff check. When you attempt to
intercept a secret message using Sense Motive, you gain a
+5 trait bonus on the attempt.
4 Charming: Blessed with good looks, you’ve come to
depend on the fact that others find you attractive. You
gain a +1 trait bonus when you use Bluff or Diplomacy
on a character that is (or could be) sexually attracted to
you, and a +1 trait bonus to the save DC of any language-
dependent spell you cast on such characters or creatures.
5 Child of the Streets: You grew up on the streets of a large
city, and as a result you have developed a knack of knowing
where to go and who to talk to when you’re looking for
some information. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Gather
Information checks, and Gather Information is always a
class skill for you.
6 Fast-Talker: You had a knack at getting yourself into
trouble as a child, and as a result developed a silver tongue
at an early age. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Bluff checks,
and Bluff is always a class skill for you.
7 Natural-Born Leader: You’ve always found yourself
in positions where others look up to you as a leader,
and you can distinctly remember an event from your
early childhood where you led several other children to
accomplish a goal that each of you individually could not.
All cohorts, followers, or summoned creatures under your
leadership gain a +1 morale bonus on Will saves to avoid
mind-affecting effects. If you ever take the Leadership
feat, you gain a +1 trait bonus to your Leadership score.
13
 COMPANION
8 Poverty-Stricken: Your childhood was tough, and your
parents had to make every copper piece count. Hunger was
your constant companion, and you often had to live off the
land or sleep in the wild. You gain a +1 bonus to Survival
checks, and Survival is always a class skill for you.
9 Rich Parents: You were born into a rich family, perhaps
even the nobility, and even though you turned to a life of
adventure anyway, you enjoyed a one-time benefit to your
initial finances and your starting cash increases to 900 gp.
10 Suspicious: You discovered at an early age that someone
you trusted, perhaps an older sibling or a parent, had
lied to you, and often, about something you had taken
for granted, leaving you quick to question the claims of
others. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks,
and Sense Motive is always a class skill for you.
Second Darkness
Campaign Traits
Campaign Traits are tailored
to a specific Adventure Path
and give your character a built-
in reason to begin the first
adventure in the new campaign.
Some Campaign Traits also grant
teamwork benefits if you choose
to begin a campaign with your
character having a pre-
existing relationship with
another PC.
14
You’ll notice right away that Campaign Traits assume
a lot more about your character’s back story than Basic
Traits do, and that those assumptions are mostly about
very recent events in your history rather than formative
childhood events. You have a certain amount of leeway in
adjusting or changing a Campaign Trait’s expected back
story once you’ve selected which Trait is right for you, but
make sure to get your GM’s approval before you run with
a modified back story.
All of the following traits revolve around one of two
current events in the city of Riddleport. The first is the
manifestation of the Blot, a strange and ominous shadow
in the sky that looks like nothing so much as a cloud of
darkness. The Blot captured the interest of Riddleport’s
citizens when it first manifested, but that was months
ago—now, after the strange cloud hasn’t done anything
particularly dramatic for so long, most folk have grown
accustomed to it. Most—but not all; some, such as the
Order of Cyphers, remain concerned by the strange
cloud, and worry that it may be the harbinger of
something worse.
The other event is a gambling tournament
called “Cheat the Devil and Take His Gold.”
Held at the recently reopened Gold Goblin
Gambling Hall, talk of the tourney has spread
throughout the town of Riddleport and has
even reached some taverns in cities as far
as Magnimar or even Korvosa. Excitement
for the tournament has been building for
a month, and now that the day is finally here,
people from all over are flocking to take part. The
somewhat restrictive entrance fee ironically makes
it not possible for many of Riddleport’s own citizens to
attend, but in the case of each PC who takes a Second
Darkness Campaign Trait, that 1 gp entrance fee has been
paid, either by an interested party or by yourself (this
expense does not come from your starting cash).
1 Fools for Friends: You don’t think of yourself as a gambler.
In fact, you rather detest the whole thing. Unfortunately,
one or more of your friends (pick one or more of the other
players’ characters) doesn’t think so, and you’ve recently
learned that friend—or friends—have decided to go to
the Gold Goblin’s “Cheat the Devil and Take his Gold”
tournament. Which pretty much means you have to go as
well, since if no one’s there to watch out for them, they’ll
lose all their money and respect. Again. Sometimes it’s
hard being the responsible one. Your devotion to your
friendships (even when said friends seem, at times, to
be trying to test that devotion) is a point of pride to you.
Whenever you take the Aid Another action to help an ally,
or whenever an ally aids you in this manner, a successful
check grants an additional +1 trait bonus to the check for
which aid was being rendered. Additionally, as long as one

of your friends is within 30 feet, you gain a +1 trait bonus
on all saving throws against charm and compulsion
effects.
2 Into Enemy Territory: The shadow in the sky is visible
from all around Riddleport, not just in town. It’s certainly
come to the attention of several druids, rangers, and other
rural folk who dwell in the nearby mountains, forests,
and swamps—among them, yourself. You’ve consulted
with several seers and Harrowers, and may even have
performed some simple auguries yourself, and all the
signs point the same way—something or someone in
Riddleport is connected to the blot, and it means bad
news for the region. You’ve avoided the sleazy, dirty town
for most of your life, traveling there only when absolutely
necessary, and although you don’t relish the prospect of
going there now, you see little other choice (especially if
one of your superiors is ordering you to go investigate).
Fortunately, an eccentric friend of yours (pick another PC)
is in town, and you’ve heard this friend will be taking part
in some gambling thing at a place called the Gold Goblin.
Your friend’s always had better luck interacting with the
cityfolk, so you’ve decided to accompany your friend to
this gambling tournament and plan on letting him find a
safe place for you to stay while you’re in town. Your long
life of self-sustenance has toughened you and made you
more resistant to hardship, in any event—pick one of the
three categories of saving throw. You gain a +1 trait bonus
on all saving throws of that type.
3 Looking for Work: Although out of work, you aren’t
particularly keen on the prospect of gambling away your
last remaining coins simply for a chance at riches. That
said, if the Gold Goblin’s fortunes reverse after this big
gambling tournament, you’re relatively certain its owner,
Saul Vancaskerkin, will be needing to hire on some new
staff members. You’ve secured payment for the tournament,
and intend on attending mostly to check the place out, to
decide if it’s a place you’d want to work at (as a bouncer,
bartender, croupier, server, entertainer, spotter, or cook),
and hopefully get a chance to catch Saul’s eye and make an
impression. You’ve long worked at honing your skills, and
are quite accomplished and certain that you have something
to offer. Pick one of the following skills: Bluff, Craft (any),
Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform (any), Profession (gambler),
or Spot. You gain a +1 trait bonus in that skill, and that skill
is always considered a class skill for you.
4 Optimistic Gambler: You’ve always seemed to have trouble
keeping money. Worse, you always seem to have debts
looming over your head. When you heard about the “Cheat
the Devil and Take His Gold” gambling tournament,
you felt in your gut that your luck was about to change.
You’ve always been optimistic, in fact, and even though
right now is one of those rare times where you don’t
owe anyone any money (you just paid off a recent loan
Second Darkness: Player’s Guide
from local moneylender Lymas Smeed), you know that’ll
change soon enough. Better to start amassing money now
when you’re at one of those rare windfall times! You’ve set
aside a gold coin for the entrance fee, and look forward to
making it big—you can feel it in your bones! This time’s
gonna be the big one! Your boundless optimism, even in
the face of crushing situations, has always bolstered your
spirit. Effects that grant you morale bonuses persist 1d4
rounds longer than they normally would as a result.
5 Researching the Blot: You may or may not be seeking
membership into Riddleport’s most prestigious magical
guild, the Order of Cyphers, but you certainly have heard
their call for aid in determining the nature of the strange
shadow in the sky above Riddleport. You arrived in town
several days ago and had some issues with security and
safety at several inns before you finally settled on the Gold
Goblin; you’ve been staying there as a guest for several
days now, and the owner, Saul Vancaskerkin, seems like a
nice guy. He’s even given you a pass to attend the gambling
tournament he’s about to throw—you’re not sure how into
gambling you’ll be, but perhaps there’ll be some visitors
from out of town you can talk to about the strange shadow
in the sky. At the very least, you’re hoping someone at the
tourney will be into magic—there’s not really enough
folk in this town who seem all that interested in magic,
you’ve found. Your interest in magic dates back quite far,
and as a result, you’ve developed a knack for identifying
common magical items at a glance. You can use Spellcraft
to identify magic items in the same way you can use
Spellcraft to identify a potion. The DC to identify a magic
item is equal to 20 + the item’s caster level.
6 Scouting for Fiends: You belong to an organization
(most likely a religion) that has definite views on the
menace posed by the lower planes. The willfulness with
which the city of Korvosa (they even allow a temple
of Asmodeus to operate in broad daylight!) tolerates
infernal influences is, to you and your organization,
the greatest symbol of what’s wrong with civilization
today. And now, in Riddleport, there’s news that a
gambling tournament is using devils and Hell as an idle
decoration. It’s likely that this is just an example of poor
taste, but there’s a chance that something sinister may
be lurking beneath the goings-on at the Gold Goblin.
You have been contacted by your organization (or may
have decided on your own) to travel to Riddleport (if
you don’t already live there) and attend this tournament
under the guise of a patron. Keep an eye on things there,
even after the tournament is over; if you can, get a job
working for the owner. Demons and devils can be subtle,
and it could take weeks or even months to find proof
of their involvement. Your near-obsessive hatred of all
things fiendish grants you a +1 trait bonus on all attack
rolls made against foes you know to be evil outsiders.
15
 COMPANION
Welcome to Riddleport
The third largest city in all Varisia, Riddleport is also the
most notorious. Once a secret pirate haven, Riddleport has
grown over the last three centuries into a port city in its
own right. At first it served as a den of piracy, but over time
the city has expanded into a true settlement, the frontier’s
frontier, the northernmost outpost on the lonely strip
known as the Lost Coast. Yet while Riddleport has grown
into a proper city, it remains true to its roots—you can get
rich quick in Riddleport if you’ve got skill and a bit of luck.
Yet, for every Riddleport success story, there are a dozen
nameless bodies buried in potters’ fields or tossed to the
hungry denizens of the sea.
What follows is an overview of Riddleport, the starting
city of the Second Darkness Adventure Path. Everything
here in is open to players and would be known by
characters who live or who have spent any considerable
amount of time in Varisia’s City of Cyphers.
16
Riddleport
Large City nonstandard (titular overlord with multiple crimelords);
AL CN
GP Limit 40,000 gp; Assets 26,600,000 gp
Demographics
Population 13,300
Type mixed (77% human, 7% dwarf, 5% half-elf, 4% half-orc, 3%
tiefling, 2% halfling, 1% gnome, 1% other)
Authority Figure
Gaston Cromarcky, NE male human fighter 7/expert 5 (Overlord of
Riddleport)
Riddleport at a Glance
Most of Riddleport’s buildings are composed of wood—
logs or planks—with multiple floors and steep, high-
peaked roofs of wooden shingles. They are built in
close quarters, and in some cases their wooden upper

floors sag and lean together from the constantly sodden
conditions. Stone fireplaces ward off the bitter winter
cold and the chill that lingers in the fog-laden streets for
much of the year, save for in high summer. During this
two-month period, warmer air currents from the south
bring a muggy, oppressive heat along with great black
mosquitoes that breed in the nearby marshes. Many burn
peat treated with incense in their hearths during these
months to ward off the vermin with their thick smoke.
The major streets of Riddleport are cobbled, often
becoming rain-slick cataracts during the wet seasons.
Cobbles are often missing or crushed by the incessant
traffic, leaving gaping holes and ruts in even the most
well-tended thoroughfares. Side streets tend to be
relegated to muddy tracks that are swift to turn into
stinking morasses of sucking mud and filth. Riddleport
doesn’t have much of a sewage system, and relies mainly
on gutters along street edges to carry refuse to the river
and harbor. One feature unique to the major streets are
the frequent oil lamps mounted on iron poles that provide
beacons of light in the benighted mists. These are set in
sturdy hurricane lamps and burn thick, rancid-smelling
oil from barrel-shaped reservoirs at the lamppost base—a
byproduct and innovation of the Gas Works. These
wavering lights give off illumination equal to a torch in
even the foulest weather but are not well-tended; just over
a third of them are out on any given night, in need of
repairs or refueling.
Life in Riddleport
The titular head of the Riddleport government is the self-
appointed Overlord of Riddleport, a position traditionally
held for life. Riddleport’s current overlord is a former
pirate captain named Gaston Cromarcky. Since the city’s
founding, Riddleport has been ruled by a series of pirate
lords, buccaneers, and other unsavory sailors in a bloody
cycle of betrayal and violent coups. Overlord Cromarcky
has maintained his rule over Riddleport for three decades
by entrenching himself in a wholly new manner. Rather
than rely on the loyalty of pirate crews and fellow captains,
Overlord Cromarcky opened the coffers of his deceased
predecessor and hired mercenaries and enforcers from
land-bound groups with no connection to piracy. Calling
this new breed of enforcers the Riddleport Gendarmes
(“gentlemen-at-arms”), he created a military force loyal
to his coin.
Under Cromarcky’s rule, life in Riddleport has
become more stable than ever before. Open street-
warfare between rival gangs is a rarity now, and the
gendarmes have made it safe enough for brave or
desperate merchants from Magnimar to bring in trade.
By Overlord Cromarcky’s decree, any ship that flies the
flag of Riddleport at full mast is under his protection
Welcome to Riddleport
Riddleport Rumors
In a city where everyone watches for new opportunities to turn
a profit, no news remains a secret for long. Here are but a few
of the rumors currently making the rounds in Riddleport.
The Shadow in the Sky: A strange, persistent, dark cloud
recently appeared in the sky above the City of Cyphers. Some
people say it was caused by the Order of Cyphers meddling
with the Cyphergate, while others believe it’s a storm being
cooked up by Gozreh or some overly moral deity to wipe
Riddleport off the map. It’s the big news in town and everybody
seems to have their own explanation.
Carnivore Carnage: Several Shadde-Quah wavecutters re-
cently washed up on the rocks near the Riddleport Light, their
hulls covered in dozens of gashes from teeth and claws. Sail-
ors fear some new predator in the Varisian Gulf or an unsea-
sonable migration of local bunyips.
The Devil and His Gold: The washed-up crime boss Saul
Vancaskerkin recently renovated the Gold Goblin Gambling
Hall and has a massive gaming tournament planned called
“Cheat the Devil and Take His Gold.” While this might just be
a publicity stunt, some say the swindler sold his soul to some
fiend and is using the tournament as a way to raise the money
to buy it back.
Lost Below: Milon Chath, a cleric of Desna, left to explore
several caverns in the nearby Calphiak Mountains more than
a week ago and has yet to return. Several Varisians fear the
priest has become lost in the labyrinthine caves said to riddle
the endless depths below the mountains.
Siren Song: A band of smugglers recently tried to set up
a base at Devil’s Elbow, an island just south of Riddleport’s
harbor, but they’ve gone missing. Most blame Virashi, the
famed siren of the haunted island, for the disappearance.
and is not to be raided by any pirate who wishes to call
Riddleport home. That Cromarcky charges scandalously
high prices for this protection of visiting ships ensures
that there’s always enough ships plying the Lost Coast or
the southern waters for Riddleport’s traditional pirates
to prey upon to keep them happy. The stability and semi-
regular influx of imported goods has begun to spoil the
citizens of Riddleport, but these days may be numbered.
Rumors abound that Cromarcky’s coffers may finally
be running low (despite his protection racket), and the
rise in power of Cromarcky’s most vocal public enemy,
Elias Tammerhawk, has many of Riddleport’s citizens
expecting a shift in leadership soon, an eventuality that
many Riddleport traditionalists would greet with relief.
Despite the unheard-of political stability that the city of
Riddleport currently enjoys, only a longtime Riddleport
native would ever think of the city as truly civilized. The
overlord rules with a light touch and with the consent
17
 COMPANION
of several powerful individuals who likewise shape the
direction of Riddleport’s future. These individuals are
the various crime bosses who hold sway in the city. Pirates
may have founded the city, but many more bandits and
scoundrels soon saw the value of having a place to call
home, the wilds of Varisia hardly being a safe place to
camp. The crimelords each have their own particular
specialties and focus, and they play the role that noble
families do in most other cities: they are the movers and
shakers, the leaders whom the average citizen idolizes and
fears. When an overlord dies, the new overlord invariably
rises from the ranks of the city’s crimelords.
Yet not everyone who comes to live in Riddleport is
attracted there by the promise of loose law and criminal
sanctuary. In increasing numbers, all manner of sages,
scholars, and wizardly types have been flocking to the
city, drawn by the presence of the Order of Cyphers.
This scholastic organization is dedicated to deciphering
the mysteries of ancient Thassilon’s monuments—in
particular, the vexing Cyphergate, whose function and
meaning have eluded illumination for so long. The locals
find the influx of philosophers and scholars aggravating,
and find their soft-spoken ways and general attitude to be
infuriating, but the Order of Cyphers does not interfere
with the day-to-day skullduggery of Riddleport’s citizens.
Furthermore, Overlord Cromarcky has openly welcomed
the order to Riddleport, likely because the addition of
many skilled wizards can only increase the city’s defensive
options. That the leader of the Order of Cyphers went on
to be Cromarcky’s most outspoken public foil no doubt
vexes the aging pirate lord, and many of the city’s citizens
have taken to betting among themselves on how may more
weeks will pass before Cromarcky and Tammerhawk come
to blows.
Flag of
Riddleport
18
City Districts
Riddleport is divided into a total of nine separate districts
(although two of them, Lubbertown and the Boneyard,
technically lie outside of the overlord’s jurisdiction):
Free-Coin District: Overlord Cromarcky’s three grand
gamehalls are located in this part of the city along the
northwestern shore of the Velahsu River.
Leeward District: The city’s largest district, Leeward is
built into the protecting curve of the city’s eastern ridge,
where it is sheltered from the worst of the winter winds.
The majority of the city’s population resides in the tall
tenements of this district, and most buildings have a
shop at street level where standard goods and services
can be obtained.
Lubbertown: Known derisively as Lubbertown for the fact
that most of its inhabitants arrive at the city by land rather
than by sea, this district is not patrolled by the gendarmes
and has developed its own social order, informal system of
laws, and distribution of goods and employment.
River District: This section of town runs along the
banks of the Velashu River and consists primarily of
shops and mills. Riddleport’s atrophied trade items
are crafted in this district. The waste produced by the
district’s tanners and fishmongers and the fact that many
of the city’s sewage gutters converge here have earned the
place the unofficial name of “Reek District.”
Rotgut District: The slums of Riddleport are a truly
depressing and dangerous place to be. Easily the poorest
section in the city proper, Rotgut also hosts the highest
crime rate and the most brothels and alehouses per capita.
It lies along the city’s eastern side against the ridge.
The Boneyard: This deceptively named place actually
serves as the city’s dump and ship’s graveyard. Its name is
derived from the many old hulks and collections of ships’
Symbol of the
Riddleport
Gendarmes
 Welcome to Riddleport

ribs that protrude from the swampy ground. The whole

area is a partially flooded salt marsh that is generally 2 or 3
Deities of Riddleport
Although not a particularly pious lot, the people of Riddleport
feet deep, although some hidden patches of quicksand are
know better than to trust in luck alone. Thus, a number of
much deeper. Monstrous cockroaches, swamp barracuda,
unruly congregations flourish in the City of Cyphers, the
and (it is whispered) wererats infest this area.
largest being dedicated to deities sympathetic to sailors,
The Devil’s Fork: This small military district is
gamblers, criminals, and free spirits of all walks.
nestled near the north end of the city on an island
Besmara: Although primarily worshiped among the Shackles
in the Velashu River. It serves above as barracks for
far to the south, the Pirate Queen is the goddess of pirates,
Riddleport’s 250 gendarmes, and below as a prison for
strife, and sea serpents. Thus, her faith suits the scallywags
the city’s malcontents.
and seafarers of Riddleport well. Her temple, derisively known
Wharf District: This rough-and-tumble district lies
as the Fish Bowl, makes regular blood sacrifices to assure safe
hard on the edge of the very docks of the city and is
and profitable voyages.
where much of the city’s day-to-day action of commerce
Calistria: The fickle goddess of trickery, lust, and revenge
and thievery occurs. Nearest the docks are a series of
maintains a particularly healthy following in Riddleport. Her
warehouses and cheap grog houses where merchant and
temple, the House of the Silken Veil, encourages her flock’s
pirate crews alike mingle in a haze of rum-soaked blood
vendettas and oversees the city’s “hospitality” industry.
and debauchery.
Several thugs and assassins are known for quoting Calistria’s
Windward District: Built on the slopes of the city’s
collection of holy poems, Blood for Wine, before setting about
western ridgeline, this is Riddleport’s affluent district;
their grim work.
the buildings here are generally quite tall and its streets
Cayden Cailean: From the raucous Publican’s House, the
winding and steep. The majority of the city’s scholars and
clergy of Cayden Cailean, god of alcohol, bravery, and freedom,
sages dwell in this windy district.
welcome nearly all comers and hearten those who seek to live
lives free of laws and restrictions. The church of the Drunken
Important Sites
Hero is known for helping newcomers find homes within the
Several of the more important locations in Riddleport are
city and encouraging legitimate trade—especially the import
described below.
of exotic wines and brews.
City Mortuary: This large, nondenominational chapel
Desna: The most blessed and cursed deity in Riddleport,
is maintained by the churches of Cayden Cailean,
the butterfly-winged goddess of travelers, luck, and the
Calistria, and Besmara, and is used for funeral services
stars watches over gamblers, navigators on ships, and those
and burial rites. It features its own attached mausoleums
seeking fortune and new beginnings. Although her faith does
for those who can afford interment there rather than in
not support an actual temple within the City of Cyphers, nearly
the common graves of the Burying Ground.
every gambling den in the city bears a statue in her image and
Cypher Lodge: This lodge is the headquarters of the
several wandering priests—particularly of Varisian descent—
vaunted Order of Cyphers, a society of skilled wizards and
do her work.
sages who have dedicated themselves to unraveling the
Gozreh: Although no temple in Riddleport bears the
secrets of ancient Thassilon—in particular, the purpose
symbol of the Wind and the Waves, few sailors don’t in some
of the Cyphergate. The lodge is open to all cyphermages
way pay respects to the god of nature. Many docks bear small
for a monthly room-and-board fee of 1 gp, a fee that
shrines so departing seafarers can offer last-minute sacrifices,
grants access to its extensive libraries as well as a host
and wandering clerics and druids of Gozreh sell blessings and
of learned scholars on the subject. To non-cyphermages,
prayers for their god’s distraction.
a day’s room and board (and access to the libraries) is a
much heftier 20 gp. Nevertheless, its guest rooms are
almost always full.
Cyphergate: The enigmatic Cyphergate looms large the passage of years amazingly well. Most scholars
over Riddleport’s harbor, a constant reminder of the believe that the runes on the arch have no meaning, and
transience of life and even civilization, since no record has are decorative. Magical attempts to decipher the runes
ever been found of who may have raised this architectural have supported this theory, yet the Order of Cyphers
wonder. The arch rises 350 feet above the water at high believes that this simply points to the runes’ mystic
tide, secured by the rocky crags on either side of the nature, that even magic cannot decipher their meaning
harbor mouth—its diameter is exactly 700 feet. It is of or the Cyphergate’s true purpose. Cracking this code has
an unidentifiable stone of nearly supernatural hardness become the primary goal of the Order, yet they are no
that resists almost all efforts at defacing or marking, and closer to solving it today than they were when their order
as with most Thassilonian monuments, it has weathered was founded.

19
 COMPANION

Gas Forges: This immense building, said to be built Arnando Rolf: Arnando is the high priest of the local
over a large deposit of rare natural gas, is owned and temple of Cayden Cailean, a bear of a man who is rarely
staffed by dwarves. The forges within are the only ones seen without a notched sword swinging at his hip.
in all Varisia that burn hot enough to smelt and forge Avery Slyeg: The owner of a pricey inn called the River
certain rare metals like adamantine. Runner, Avery Slyeg’s true interests lie in smuggling and
Gold Goblin Gambling Hall: Once a high profile venue other black-market operations; it’s said he has agents in
and shining diamond of the bustling Wharf District, this two dozen cities throughout the Inner Sea region.
run-down gambling hall has been recently rebuilt and is Boss Croat: Known for keeping entirely half-orc
the site for the upcoming “Cheat the Devil and Take His minions, Boss Croat has his hand in much of Riddleport’s
Gold” gambling tournament. drug trade and other contraband.
House of the Silken Veil: This octagonal pyramid is Clegg Zincher: One of Riddleport’s more notorious
the city’s temple of Calistria in addition to being a high- crimelords, Clegg runs the quite profitable Zincher’s Arena,
class brothel. Temple prostitutes work the streets and a place where anyone can pay to see desperate men fight
squares of Leeward and send criers and samples down to monsters (or, more commonly, each other).
Wharf District to bring in the “pigeons.” Elias Tammerhawk: Elias is the leader of the Order of
Maskyr’s Island: Named for Cabriem Maskyr, the pirate Cyphers, an accomplished wizard who has been elected
captain who became the first overlord of Riddleport, as speaker of the order for two consecutive eight-year
this islet in the center of the Velashu River holds terms. Many whisper that Elias has his eye set on
the current overlord’s citadel and estate as well the position of overlord, and Riddleport’s other
as many of the city’s various administration crimelords worry about the nature of the changes
buildings. Several docks provide access to to their beloved city should this event occur.
the island, but all are heavily guarded by Gebediah Krix: Gebediah, rumor holds,
gendarmes. Overlord Cromarcky does consorts with fiends from the Outer Rifts.
not accept visitors lightly. He runs the Riddleport Light, and does so
Publican House: A sign bearing responsibly enough that the overlord has
the symbol of a dented ale mug left well enough alone. Visitors are not
hangs above the door, and written welcome here.
discreetly beneath it in gold letters Grimas Oltedler: Grimas runs the
are the words “Publican House.” Velashu Ferry, the only safe mode of
This raucous place is actually a public transport over the river. He works
temple to Cayden Cailean, god steadily through the evening and night
of adventurers and drink, and but must be summoned from his bed by
is a favorite among the ships’ ringing the ferry bell if one is seeking
crews and travelers that passage before midday. Prices range
visit Riddleport for its fair from 2 to 6 copper per traveller,
prices and wide selection. depending on the length of the
Cyphermages are not journey up or downriver.
welcome here. Hyram Crooge: Hyram is a
reclusive man who dwells just out-
People of side of town on a ledge overlooking the
Riddleport Boneyard. He maintains a constant bon-
Over ten thousand souls fire for the burning of some trash and
call Riddleport their home, dumps the rest over the cliff edge into
but very few of them actually the marsh below.
have any real positions of Lymas Smeed: This surly man is
power. Some of the city’s one of Riddleport’s more notorious
more notorious folk are moneylenders. Lymas Smeed (if the
detailed below. streetside chatter is to be believed)
Anton Mescher: Overlord feeds parts of those who fail to pay
Cromarcky’s right-hand him back on time to his always-
man, Anton oversees the ravenous pet baboon.
city’s fortress-prison and Ruben Carfay: A retired sea
leads the gendarmes.
Riddleport captain, Ruben is the leader of
Gendarme

20

Symbol of the
Gas Forges an open-air temple dedicated to the
Pirate Queen Besmara.
Saul Vancaskerkin: Just recently,
Saul recovered his footing in Riddle-
port after several years of destitution
due to some sort of run-in with the other
crimelords of the city. He’s recently pur-
chased and rebuilt the Gold Goblin Gam-
bling Hall.
Shorafa Pamodae: An alluring but danger-
ous tiefling high priestess of the temple of
Calistria, Shorafa is also one of the city’s minor
crimelords and rules the hospitality industry,
from pimps to liquor sales.
A Primer on Riddleport Slang
Many of Riddleport’s citizens have their own
slang and jargon that they use in mixed company to
hold conversations in front of others while not revealing
what they’re actually talking about. Of course, in a city of
thieves, the Thieves’ Cant loses much of its use, and over
the years, the Cant has devolved into a wide collection of
regional slang words that most folk pepper liberally (and
without thinking) into everyday speech. Listed below are
several of the more common bits of Riddleport Slang.
Abbess: A priestess or whore of Calistria
Bridge Monkey: Someone from Magnimar
Capp: A trusted lieutenant or henchman
Cattle: A group of Varisians
Cow: A Varisian
Church Work: Any lengthy job that is slow to finish or
is otherwise drudgery
Dog Biter: A large rat, small child, or halfling
Earth Bath: An unmarked grave
Easy Lad: A male prostitute
Fancyboy/Fancygirl: A cyphermage (sometimes an elf )
Gendarme: A city guard
Grog-Blossom: A facial pimple, or an unsavory person
Hushman: A hired killer, generally one kept on semi-
permanent retainer
Kiss: To stab someone—“Kissed the snickersnak” is a
phrase used to mean “Got murdered”
Laced Mutton: A prostitute (gender neutral)
Leaky: Someone who can’t keep a secret (“Don’t tell
him about the heist—he’s leaky!”)
Lumber: A passenger on a ship (typically an unwanted
or unwelcome passenger)
Pigeon: A person targeted by a criminal to be the victim
of a crime, or a person that visits a prostitute
Pigmeat: A dead body, or someone who is about to
become dead
Pump-Sucker: A dwarf (particularly one who works at
the Gas Forges)
Welcome to Riddleport
Poisons of the City of Cyphers
As might be expected in a city founded by pirates and ruled
by criminals, Riddleport’s poison trade is brisk and hearty.
It’s possible to find bargain prices on viper venom and
arsenic on most city street corners, but as often as not, the
wares of streetside poison merchants is diluted and hardly
worth the money saved. Those who seek poison would do
much better to visit one of the city’s many skilled and well-
supplied alchemists.
In addition to all of the standard poisons listed in the
DMG, the following local poisons are quite popular among
many of Riddleport’s criminals.
Riddleport Tea
A mixture of dream spider venom and crushed flayleaf berries,
this deep violet liquid carries with it a potent bitter flavor. Yet
when mixed with spiderberry tea, the poison’s unpleasant
taste and aroma becomes negligible. The poison does not
inflict lasting damage, but those who drink it are immediately
beset upon by powerful hallucinations that drive them into a
frothing, unpredictible frenzy of violence and babbling. This
period is swiftly followed by deep fatigue. Since Riddleport
tea does no lasting damage, some among the church of
Cayden Cailean have even taken to taking the stuff voluntarily.
The church frowns upon this use, though, since those who
expose themselves to this poison are almost as likely to fly
into a murderous rage as they are to experience anything
approaching a legitimate vision from the gods.
Riddleport Tea: Ingested DC 15; Initial Damage confusion
(as per the spell of the same name); Secondary Damage
fatigue; Price 500 gp.
Indigo Dreams
Favored by prostitutes who supplement their earnings by the
dangerous practice of robbing their customers, a dose of indigo
dreams incapacitates a person by inducing a pleasant lassitude
and mental fog. A dose of indigo dreams turns its victim’s eyes
purple for the duration of its effect.
Indigo Dreams: Ingested DC 13; Initial Damage 1d6
Wisdom; Secondary Damage 2d6 Wisdom; Price 150 gp.
Quickwife: A female prostitute
Rathole: The mouth (especially a mouth that belongs
to someone who is saying unwelcome things)
Rotgut: Liquor (particularly foul-tasting liquor)
Sideshow: A tiefling
Snickersnak: A small knife that can be easily hidden
on a person’s body
Soaker: A priest of Cayden Cailean
Soggy Plum: A drunk
Whisker: A wererat
21
 Prestige Class:
COMBAT
Liberator
Liberators fight to free the wrongfully imprisoned—be
they slaves, political prisoners, or princesses locked in
towers. They rely on physical strength—but also quick
wits—to overcome oppressors. Since charging blindly
into battle could result in a prisoner’s death, liberators
plan their rescues carefully.
Liberators despise slavers above all others, particularly
races well known for these practices, such as the gnolls.
While some liberators operate solely in cities, most dwell
in or near territories held by known slaver organizations
or groups. Liberators typically strike under the cover of
darkness, and they usually seek to smuggle slaves to safety
without alerting any guards. As a result, liberators develop
many abilities related to navigating darkness and stealth.
In large cities, the law typically views the actions of
liberators as dangerous, since they often show no respect
for traditional investigative procedures. These feelings of
distrust and disdain are shared by most liberators, who tend
to see the law as a lumbering, ineffective giant. Liberators
22
often operate in the shadows of society as a result, lest
they become prisoners themselves. Rarely, city officials
view liberators as expensive but effective mercenaries who
bring results the average guardsman cannot. Liberators
often find work in such cities, and in return gain cautious
but respectful accolades for their deeds.
Requirements
To qualify to become a liberator, a character must fulfill
all the following criteria.
Alignment: Any nonlawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Escape Artist 6 ranks, Open Lock 6 ranks.
Feats: Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Stealthy.
Class Features
The following are class features of the liberator.
To the Rescue (Su): The sight of a liberator staging
a daring rescue proves inspirational to his allies. As a
standard action, the liberator can shout an encouraging
phrase or raise a rallying cry to bring hope to those
awaiting rescue. All allies within 30 feet of the liberator
gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls, a +4 morale bonus
on Escape Artist checks, and a +4 morale bonus on
saving throws made against fear effects. These bonuses
persist for a number of rounds equal to 3 + the liberator’s
Charisma modifier (minimum 1 round).
Poison Resistance (Ex): Slavers often make liberal use
of poison and drugs to keep their captives lethargic and
under control. A liberator purposefully exposes himself
to a variety of venoms in order to build up a resistance
to such toxins, should he ever fall victim to those he
opposes. He gains a +2 bonus on saving throws made
against poisons. This bonus increases to +4 at 7th level.
Lockbreaker (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a liberator
receives a competence bonus equal to half his class level
on all Open Lock checks. He also gains this bonus on all
Escape Artist checks made to escape bindings, shackles,
and other restraints.
Bonus Feat: At 3rd level, the liberator gains a bonus
feat. He must qualify for the feat, and it must be from
the following list: Blind-Fight, Iron Will, or Skill
Focus (any class skill).
Silent Sunder (Ex): At 3rd level, a liberator learns
methods of applying force and striking objects in such
a way as to minimize noise. He can choose to make no
more noise than people talking when making a sunder
attack action or attempting to break an object with a
Strength check.
Slaver’s Ruin (Ex): The sight of imprisonment and
slavery can drive a liberator into a righteous frenzy. A
liberator of at least 5th level can designate one creature
engaged in such acts as the target of his wrath. The
 Combat

Liberator Hit Die: d10

Base
Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Poison resistance +2, to the rescue
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Lockbreaker +1
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Bonus feat, silent sunder
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Lockbreaker +2
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Slaver’s ruin
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Greater sunder, lockbreaker +3
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Poison resistance +4, steely resolve
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Darkvision, lockbreaker +4
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Quick pick
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 Freedom of movement, lockbreaker +5

Skills (2 + Int bonus per level) Climb, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge
(local), Open Lock, Search, Sense Motive, Survival, Use Rope.

designated foe is considered flat-footed against the

liberator’s next attack. Opponents who cannot be caught
flat-footed (such as through improved uncanny dodge)
are immune to this effect.
Greater Sunder (Ex): Beginning at 6th level, a liberator
ignores half of an object’s hardness when making a sunder
attack or attacking an object. He also gains a +2 morale bonus
on his opposed attack roll when making a sunder attempt
(but not when defending against a sunder attempt).
Steely Resolve (Ex): A liberator fears magical domination
more than anything else, for the enslavement of the mind
is difficult to detect and remove. At 7th level, whenever a
liberator is targeted by a charm or compulsion effect and
fails his saving throw, he may attempt his saving throw
again 1 round later at the same DC to resist the effect. He
gets only this one extra chance to throw off any one effect.
Darkvision (Su): At 8th level, a liberator has spent so much
time sneaking through the dark to free the victims of unjust
imprisonment that he develops darkvision with a range of
60 feet. If the liberator already possesses darkvision, the
range of his darkvision increases by 60 feet.
Quick Pick (Ex): There’s not always time to properly
pick a lock, and sometimes liberators have to improvise. At
9th level, a liberator has perfected the art of lockpicking to
such an extent that he may attempt an Open Locks check
as a move action instead of a full-round action without any
additional penalties.
Freedom of Movement (Su) At 10th level, the liberator’s
focus against slavery and restriction to mobility develops
into a potent resistance to restraint. He is now treated as if
under the effects of a freedom of movement spell at all times.
This ability cannot be dispelled. Once per day, he can also
use freedom of movement as a spell-like ability (caster level
equals his class level) to share this benefit with others.
Liberators in Riddleport
Riddleport, a city known for its lawlessness and intrigue,
experiences more than its fair share of abductions. Crime
cartels often snatch innocents to hold hostage for ransom.
Some crime lords abduct the families of city officials to force
certain actions, such as the release of their own imprisoned
men, the passing of a particular law, or a cessation of patrols
in a specific area. Criminals themselves sometimes fall prey
to abduction plots staged by other gangs, as retaliation or
an intimidation tactic. Vigilantes, however well intentioned,
sometimes find themselves locked up and awaiting rescue.
Even unsuspecting travelers occasionally run afoul of corrupt
guards and end up wrongfully imprisoned.
As a result, liberators never experience a dearth of work in
Riddleport. Some prefer to work through official channels,
sanctioned by the city to retrieve political prisoners and
assist the gendarmes in rescuing kidnapping victims. Others
freelance, determining who deserves rescue based on their
personal philosophies. Crime cartels rarely employ liberators,
but large organizations whose members frequently wind up in
jail sometimes retain a liberator for emergency rescues.
A well-known liberator by the name of Peveny Vall
operated for many years in Riddleport. Rumor held that
Peveny broke into various crimelords’ dwellings for daring
rescue missions no fewer than 20 times over the course of
2 years a decade ago. Her daring actions eventually united
the crimelords the way little else could, and shortly after her
20th daring misison, her body turned up in a gutter near the
river. The gendarmes confiscated her body as evidence, and
some believe to this day that it wasn’t Peveny’s body at all,
but the corpse of some unknown slaver that Peveny used to
cover her escape.

23
 Divine Trappings:
FAITH
Cayden Cailean
The straight-talking, freedom-loving clergy of Cayden
Cailean attracts many followers to the faith, especially
adventurers who often feel a strong draw toward the god’s
views on bravery and daring and regular pints of ale.
Presented here are several suggestions, common abilities,
and religion-specific magic items often employed by
those who follow the occasionally reckless path of the
ascended god of bravery, freedom, and alcohol.
Pious Adventurers
Even though an adventurer might not be a cleric and never
set foot in one of Cayden Cailean’s temple-taverns, many
still raise silent prayers to his name before venturing into
danger. Aside from priests of his faith, those of varying
classes and professions worship Cayden Cailean. Many
fighters and other martially skilled characters favor
the god’s dash-in, slay-the-monster, win-the-treasure
approach to adventuring. Among spellcasters, especially
sorcerers, the god’s on-the-fly resourcefulness is often
emulated. More skillful sorts also favor the Drunken
Hero’s noble roguishness and swashbuckling flair,
seeking to follow in his footsteps to fame, glory, and
legendary rewards.
Aside from various classes’ general outlooks on the
god, players who seek to create characters in the service
of the Drunken Hero might consider any one of the
following character paths common to the
god’s faithful.
The Cult of Cayden: Although not an
actual cult or acknowledged faction
within the Drunken Hero’s church,
many adventurous worshipers seek to
model their lives after Cayden Cailean’s
experience as a mortal. It turned out
pretty good for him, so why not for
them, the thinking follows. As the deity’s
life as a mortal is well documented—and
embellished—many see a certain nobility in
selling their swords or other skills in the
pursuit of noble causes. This path proves
particularly popular in Absalom and
among those from the City at the Center
of the World, as the god lived many of
his mortal years there. The question
of how their deity would have acted in
their position lingers at the forefront
of these often multi-classed fighter/
clerics’ minds, and they’re ever eager
to visit the same sites or perform
similar tasks as their deity.
24
Divine Drunk: Although members of Cayden Cailean’s
faith are often stereotyped as brawling drunkards, the
majority prove quite level-headed. Not all are in that
majority, though. Some take to drink with a religious
zeal, claiming that their deity guides their stumbles
and their loose words. Frequently, such drinkers receive
alcohol-induced visions—or at least divinely suggested
misconceptions. Such inebriated clerics believe their god
communicates with the worthy, the brave, the beautiful,
the lucky, those whom he judges capable of completing
a particular task, or sometimes just random people via
such alcoholic hazes. Occasionally, even the most resilient
clerics claim a single drink got them drunk, the result
of which was a hallucination which started them on the
path of an important quest.
Liberator: Those who oppose oppression, seek an end
to slavery of all kinds, and wish to make the world a better
place for good, simple people, feel particular kinship
with Cayden Cailean. Many heroes dedicate their lives to
uplifting the downtrodden, an occupation that often is as
depressing as it is dangerous. Faith in the god of freedom
helps bring a sense of nobility to such dark tasks and
eases the heart afterward, though. Adventurers who were
slaves themselves, who worked to free imprisoned loved
ones in the past, or who escaped oppressive societies often
worship Cayden Cailean openly. Many heroes embarking
on rescue missions bring a bottle or cask of brandy with
them to offer to the newly rescued as tribute to the god
of freedom. Cayden Cailean’s straightforward doctrine
draws all manner of followers to his cause.
Divine Magic Items
As followers of a deity who was once a renowned
adventure seeker, Cayden Cailean’s clergy has a
reputation for coveting and creating magical items,
especially when such magic can be combined with their
preferance for unique and delicious libations. Temples
of Cayden Cailean often create and stock several useful
magic items meant to aid worshipers and those friendly
to the Drunken Hero’s church. Aside from the typical
healing magics, such collections usually contain a
number of simple magical items that enhance their
users’ appearance, increase their resilience or luck,
or prove especially versatile. As such, bags of tricks,
cloaks of resilience and cloaks of Charisma, gloves of
storing, necklaces of adaptation, eyes of charming, and
even the rare luckblade sometimes appear among
the reliquaries of the god’s temples and wielded
by the most pious, deserving, or downright lucky
of his faith.
In addition, worshipers of Cayden Cailean
have created a number of magical items
unique to their faith.
 FAITH

Hero’s Brew Cayden Cailean’s Followers in Riddleport

Aura faint enchantment; CL 5th
In a city as rife with evil and villainy as Riddleport, it’s no
Slot none; Price 1,400 gp; Weight —
surprise that Cayden Cailean’s clergy works actively in the
Description
shadows. Sprees of kidnappings often overtake the city,
Cayden Cailean’s faithful keep the secret of this sweet, spiced
and small groups of Cayden Cailean’s faithful—sometimes
liquor with magical properties closely guarded, but they freely
including official clerics, sometimes not—meet in dark
offer the libation for sale. This strong beverage often comes in
corners of taverns or in secluded wine cellars to discuss the
iridescent blue-green wine bottles, sometimes held in elegant
crimes and consider action.
slings made of gold or silver chains.
In public, the rabble of Riddleport treats clerics of Cayden
A dose of hero’s brew mimics the effect of a potion of
Cailean with respect. Most criminals leave the clerics alone, and
heroism, granting you a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls,
some even treat a cleric’s known allies with some deference.
saves, and skill checks for 1 hour. Additionally, the
Truly hardened criminals might not treat a cleric of Cayden
potent brew renders you moderately tipsy and impairs
Cailean any differently than his other victims, however, and
your judgment somewhat, imposing a –2 Wisdom
many show no special favor to a cleric’s allies.
penalty for its duration—a religious state for many of
While criminals often show respect to Cayden Cailean’s
the god’s worshipers.
faithful on the street, few carry that devotion behind closed
A cleric of Cayden Cailean who has Charm or
doors. A cleric of Cayden Cailean caught infiltrating a thieves’
Strength as a chosen domain may use the domain
guild or confronting a slaver undoubtedly faces violent
power of either domain one additional time per day
retribution. Bodies of Cayden Cailean’s faithful sometimes
while under the effects of hero’s brew. This does not count
appear on the doorsteps of taverns in Riddleport. Although
against your domain power’s uses per day limit, and it
murderers might not balk at killing clerics, many consider it
immediately ends the effects of the hero’s brew. You can
bad luck to irreverently dispose of the corpses.
only use hero’s brew to gain one additional use of a domain
power per day.
Construction
Requirements Brew Potion, heroism, must have access to the Ring of Emancipation
Charm or Strength domain; Cost 750 gp, 56 XP Aura faint transmutation and moderate evocation; CL 7th
Slot ring; Price 2,100 gp; Weight —
Luthier’s Rapier Description
Aura strong transmutation; CL 11th This single thick iron band makes for a rather ugly ring. Rust pits
Slot none; Price 5,020 gp; Weight 2 lb. the surface of the ring in places and the item seems on the brink
Description of falling apart. Occasionally, these rings bear a tiny chain link or
Many stories feature Luthier, Knight of the Vineyard, champion dented tankard symbol.
of good and Cayden Cailean’s trusted ally. These legends often While wearing a ring of emancipation, you gain a +2
mention Luthier’s elegant rapier, and while the original Luthier’s competence bonus on all Open Lock and Escape Artist
rapier undoubtedly remains with its owner, copies surface from checks, in addition to all attack rolls made to sunder. Also, the
time to time—usually when a faithful follower of Cayden Cailean ring has three charges, which can be expended at any time to
requires assistance. cast shatter as a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to
Rose-hued steel forms the length of the blade, and gold your character level. Each time a charge is expended, the ring
flowers seem to blossom in the filigreed basket-hilt. A large ruby becomes more rusted and marred. Upon the third charge
glimmers at the hilt’s center. Luthier’s rapier is a +1 holy rapier. being expended, the ring is destroyed.
Once per day, you can activate the power of the ruby embedded Construction
in the rapier’s hilt to gain a +4 sacred bonus to Charisma and Requirements Forge Ring, cat’s grace, shatter; Cost 1,050 gp, 84 XP
a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. These
bonuses last for 10 minutes.
Also, once, you can command the gem to shatter in an
explosion of red light. Every creature except you within 30 feet
must make a DC 20 Will save or be dazed for 3 rounds. Once
you shatter the gem in this fashion, the rapier becomes just a
normal +1 rapier.
Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms & Armor, bless weapon, eagle’s
splendor, creator must be chaotic good; Cost 2,510 gp, 200 XP

25
 Spells Of The
MAGIC
uninitiated throughout Golarion. Some particularly op-
Cyphermages portunistic cyphermages even go so far as to use the secrets
of their order’s magic as bargaining chips when dealing
Rarely seen far from the City of Cyphers, Riddleport’s with other spellcasters who might hold the keys to unrav-
mysterious and misunderstood cyphermages dedicate eling ancient mysteries. Also, as many cyphermages never
their careers to unlocking the ancient secrets of Varisia’s return from their explorations, it’s not uncommon for ad-
famed monuments. The trappings of ancient cultures venturers in Varisia to stumble upon a lost cyphermage’s
fascinate these mages, from obscure runes and abandoned body along with his scrolls and spellbooks. Deciphering a
languages to the spells and relics of cultures long forgotten. cyphermage’s secrets from the works he carried with him
From their headquarters in Riddleport, members of the might be another matter entirely, though.
Order of Cyphers venture wherever they must to unravel
the secrets over which they obsess, traveling from the feet Codespeak
of gargantuan monoliths to the ruins of ancient dungeons, School transmutation; Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2
from the lecture halls of their organization to libraries half Casting
a world away. Casting Time 1 standard action
Because cyphermages immerse Components V, S, M
themselves in the lore and nu- Effect
ance of the ancients, they high- Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
ly value precision and com- Target you plus one willing creature per two levels, no two of
plexity, going so far as to which can be more than 30 ft. apart
develop spells dedicated to Duration 10 min./level (D)
uncovering new information Saving Throw no; Spell Resistance no
and protecting the discover- Description
ies they’ve uncovered. Upon casting this spell, all recipients gain the ability
Although the four to speak a new language. This language sounds like
spells presented here random, babbling syllables to anyone not under the
originally evolved in the influence of the spell, but the targets understand each
libraries and lecture halls other perfectly.
of Riddleport’s Order of Anyone using codespeak can read and write in this new
Cyphers and are primar- language as well. Once the spell expires, however, any
ily used by cypherma- coded writing suddenly appears as gibberish. If the same
ges, their use has individuals become the targets of a codespeak spell
spread to many of the again, cast by the same caster, they can once again
read any coded writings.
Comprehend languages does not enable a caster
to understand the language of another’s codespeak
spell, but it does reveal that the targets are
speaking a magical language. Tongues translates
codespeak normally.
Material Component A complex rune inscribed
on a slip of paper that is then placed under
your tongue.

Hidden Knowledge
School transmutation; Level
sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting
Casting Time 1 round
Components V, S, M (a drop of ink)
Effect
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 day/level

26
 MAGIC

Description
This subtle but useful spell allows the caster to safeguard
What is A Cyphermage?
Students of the lingering lore of Varisia’s ancient past,
important knowledge—even from himself. While casting
cyphermages seek to understand the magic inherent in the
this spell, you recite one piece of knowledge you possess (up
land’s ancient monuments and reveal the mysteries carved
to a maximum of 50 words). Upon completion of the spell’s
into centuries-old stone. These students of the past vary in
casting, you transfer the knowledge from your mind to your
arcane skill and interest, with bards, sorcerers, wizards, and
skin in the form of an intricate, runic tattoo placed anywhere
clerics of Irori and Nethys making up the majority of their
you choose on your body. The knowledge disappears utterly
ranks, though even ingenious non-spellcasting scholars
from your mind, and you might not realize you forgot
are welcomed to join. Intrigued by all things Varisian, these
something. The magic of the spell patches over gaps in your
researchers often adopt the mysterious tattoos some of the
memory with recollections from the past. Until the spell’s
land’s native wanderers possess, seeking to find greater
duration ends, the knowledge is lost to you.
understanding of and intimacy with the mysteries they
Many cyphermages commission nonmagical tattoos to
explore (see the Pathfinder Campaign Setting for more details
disguise the effects of this spell. A detect magic spell or a
on Varisian Tattoos). Aside from imitating the traditions of
Decipher Script check (DC 15 + your Int modifier) reveals an
Varisia’s natives, cyphermages have learned much in their
enchanted tattoo but not its contents. The effects of hidden
investigations and widely share many of their most inspired
knowledge can be dispelled normally, in which case the
discoveries. The Order of Cyphers keeps its greatest secrets
knowledge is completely lost.
for its most esteemed members, however.

Impede Speech
School necromancy; Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 3
Cypher Script
Through researching endless ancient arcane script, you have
Casting
discovered a more efficient method to record spells.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Prerequisite: Int 12, Decipher Script 4 ranks.
Components V, S
Benefit: Any spell you scribe in your spellbook costs half
Effect
as much and takes up only half the room it normally would.
Range touch
In addition, it only takes you 12 hours to add a new spell to
Target creature touched
your spellbook.
Duration 10 min./level
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
Description
Cypher Magic
Your intimacy with runes and the mysteries of ancient arcana
This minor curse interferes with the target’s ability to speak.
has taught you secrets to draw greater power from a variety
On a failed save, the target has difficulty stringing words
of arcane writings.
together. Only with great concentration can he communicate
Prerequisite: Int 14, Scribe Scroll.
intelligibly. Speaking in combat becomes a move-equivalent
Benefit: You cast spells from scrolls at +1 caster level higher
action rather than a free action. If the target attempts to
than the level of the scroll’s creator. This benefit extends to
cast a spell with a verbal component, he has a 50% chance
scrolls that you have created.
of making an error and losing the spell. Even if he can
In addition, you gain a +2 bonus on caster level checks made to
successfully cast a spell, doing so takes 1 round if the spell’s
activate a scroll with a higher caster level than your own.
normal casting time is less than 1 round. If the spell’s casting
time is usually 1 round or longer, its casting time doubles
(up until the end of impede speech). Impede speech cannot be
dispelled, but break enchantment, limited wish, miracle, remove
curse, or wish can end it prematurely. Description
Pattern recognition allows you to notice unusual breaks in the
Pattern Recognition patterns of stones in a wall, boards in a floor, cracks in glass,
School transmutation; Level sorcerer/wizard 1 trees in a forest, or similar interruptions. You gain an insight
Casting bonus equal to one-half your caster level (minimum +1,
Casting Time 1 standard action maximum +10) on Search checks.
Components V, S You gain the same bonus on Survival checks made to follow
Effect tracks. Pattern recognition does not grant you the Track feat, a
Range personal rogue’s trapfinding ability, or the ability to disable traps. You
Target you can use it in conjunction with those abilities if you possess
Duration 10 min./level them, though.

27
 A Spelunker’s
SOCIAL
Mushroom Vest
Treasury Aura faint abjuration; CL 5th
Slot chest; Price 500 gp; Weight 3 lb.
Be it the tangled network of smuggler’s tunnels below Description
the streets or the innumerable cave systems in the nearby This spongy, mottled brown vest is several inches thick and
mountains, Riddleport adventurers are no strangers to the composed of woven strips of preserved fungus. The vest feels
fine art of cave exploration. In their case, superior exploration soft to the touch and springs back into shape no matter how
equipment proves quite handy. The combination of poor badly compressed. Its magic keeps the vest fresh and whole
visibility, treacherous footing, extreme temperatures, and despite constant wear and abuse.
enclosed spaces can turn a challenging situation into a A mushroom vest protects you from impact trauma. When
deadly one. For explorers bereft of strong combat abilities wearing the vest, you treat any fall as if it were 20 feet less
or spells on which to fall back, any kind of edge can mean when calculating damage.
the difference between life and death. The following magic Construction
items can provide the needed edge to adventurers traveling Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, feather fall; Cost 250 gp,
underground, particularly those who rely on their 20 XP
skills to survive.
Portable Stalactite
Caver’s Hammock Aura faint transmutation; CL 3rd
Aura faint illusion and transmutation; CL 5th Slot —; Price 800 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Slot —; Price 1,200 gp; Weight 1 lb. Description
Description This miniature stone stalactite measures 4 to 5 inches
This soft, billowy hammock weighs next long. As a standard action, you can toss a portable
to nothing and folds up small enough stalactite up to any solid surface no more than
to fit into a pocket. Its magic renders 20 feet above, whereupon the portable stalactite
the hammock both lightweight and automatically affixes to the ceiling. If no
incredibly strong, able to support up suitable ceiling exists, the portable stalactite
to 500 pounds. With a command word, falls at your feet.
the hammock affixes to any relatively Once affixed, the portable stalactite remains
flat, overhead surface or any two in place until you call it back to your hand
sturdy surfaces up to 10 feet apart. (a standard action) or until a living creature
The hammock refuses to adhere (except you) walks under it, at which point it
to surfaces not strong enough to drops from the ceiling and makes a +10
support the hammock at attack roll aainst the target. If it hits, it deals
full capacity. 1d6+1 points of damage.
Once affixed, a caver’s You can affix as many portable stalactites
hammock takes on a dark as you like to an area’s ceiling, but you
gray, pebbly appearance like must leave at least 5 feet of space between
that of a typical cavern wall. each. A portable stalactite can be detected
Anyone attempting to spot the and disarmed as if it were a trap—it’s a
hammock in an underground DC 20 Search check to discover, and a DC 15
or naturally rocky setting must Disarm Device check to safely detach one.
make a DC 30 Spot check. Construction
Creatures with darkvision gain Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, magic stone; Cost
no special bonus to notice a 400 gp, 32 XP
caver’s hammock, but creatures
with blindsense or scent have Ring of the Stone Sibling
no additional difficulty in Aura moderate conjuration; CL 9th
noticing an occupant of a caver’s Slot ring; Price 7,400 gp; Weight —
hammock. Description
Construction This gray ring looks like stone, but the material
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, is soft and flexible. Once per day, as a standard
silent image, spider climb; Cost 600 action, you can touch a stone wall with your
gp, 48 XP hand to create a stone duplicate of yourself.

28

Immediately upon activating the ring of the stone sibling,
your double steps out of the wall. It appears to be a stone
statue carved in an exact likeness of you. The stone double
stands 10 feet away from you and mimics your movements,
as if reflected in a mirror. As a move-equivalent action, you
can mentally command the stone sibling to move to a new
location, but it must remain within 30 feet of you at all times.
The stone sibling has hardness 8 and 50 hit points. It can
take no actions other than to aid you, which it does every
round on your turn. The stone sibling makes a +5 aid another
check each round, either to aid your attack rolls or your
Armor Class, as you command. It continues to render the
same aid indefinitely until you command it otherwise (which
requires a move action).
The stone sibling lasts for 10 minutes, until it is destroyed, or
until you dismiss it (a standard action), whichever comes first.
Construction
Requirements Forge Ring, mirror image, stone shape; Cost 3,700
gp, 296 XP
Salt Lamp
Aura faint conjuration; CL 5th
Slot ­—; Price 350 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Description
A salt lamp appears as nothing more than a fist-sized chunk
of pink, white, or green quartz-like rock. In reality, the “rock”
is compressed salt mined from areas infused with strange
magical radiations. When you speak the command word, the
salt lamp lights up with a glow equivalent to a torch. The salt
lamp becomes warm, though never uncomfortably hot, to the
touch. The salt lamp glows for 1d4+1 hours before its light fades
out and it becomes ordinary salt.
At any time while the salt lamp glows, you can hurl it at the
floor, causing it to explode into a cloud of glimmering salt
crystals that form a 10-foot radius cloud. The cloud continues
to shed light as a torch, as well as visibly outlining invisible
objects within the cloud. Shining salt particles cover anyone
within the area and adhere and glow for the remainder of
the lamp’s duration. The salt particles cannot be removed by
normal means, but they can be dispelled. Any creature within
the cloud, or covered with the salt particles, takes a –40 penalty
on Hide checks.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, glitterdust, light; Cost 175
gp, 14 XP
Sporeblade
Aura moderate necromancy; CL 13th
Slot weapon; Price 27,815 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
Bulbous fungal growths sprout from this short sword’s blade,
particularly around the hilt. The fungal growths constantly
swell, wither, and sprout again in a continuous cycle. The
social
growths appear bright blue, green, yellow, and purple. The
weapon’s blade is a dull gray that does not reflect light.
The sporeblade is a +2 keen short sword. On a successful
critical hit, the sporeblade deals its normal critical damage and
also creates a puff of mottled spores. The victim of the critical
hit must make a DC 20 Fortitude save. On a failed save, the
victim takes 1d4 points of Constitution damage and becomes
fatigued for 1 hour as the spores take root in his flesh and
grow with unsettling speed into thick, fibrous tendrils. The
special critical hit ability of the sporeblade functions no more
than once per round.
Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, contagion; Cost
14,065 gp, 1,100 XP
Spelunker’s Mail
Aura faint conjuration and moderate transmutation; CL 10th
Slot armor; Price 10,000 gp; Weight 10 lb.
Description
Spelunker’s mail allows a creature to more easily navigate narrow
underground tunnels by granting the wearer the option of
reducing his size when a passageway grows too narrow.
Spelunker’s mail is a +1 slick chain shirt and has a dark,
lustrous sheen to its blue-black links. Ten times per day, by
speaking a command word, you can activate the armor’s
power to reduce your size. Your size category decreases by
one step and you gain the relevant bonuses and penalties of
your new size. Your abilities and speed remain unchanged,
and all equipment you wear or carry reduces appropriately
in size. This transformation lasts for up to a minute, and you
can dismiss its effects as a free action.
Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms & Armor, grease, reduce person;
Cost 4,875 gp, 390 XP
Trackless Boots
Aura faint transmutation; CL 9th
Slot feet; Price 3,500 gp; Weight 2 lb.
Description
Leaving marks of your passage can alert predators that a
newcomer has entered their territory. Trackless boots help
prevent you from making too much noise as you creep along,
and they also mask traces of your passage through underground
caverns to prevent your enemies from finding you. These boots
are particularly valued by smugglers who work in patrolled areas.
Trackless boots are soft, well-worn leather boots with thin
soles. The softness of the boots’ soles add a +4 competence
bonus on Move Silently checks. In addition, the boots conceal
your passage much like the pass without trace spell—you leave
no trail underground and cannot be tracked.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, pass without trace; Cost
1,750 gp, 140 XP
29
 Lavender Lil
PERSONA
Like many of the city’s tieflings, Lil grew up an orphan in
Riddleport. She earned her coin by telling stories on street
corners, where her fantastical tales garnered just enough
copper for a bite to eat. Although a gifted storyteller, Lil’s
exotic good looks drew more attention than her tales, and
soon a local pimp forced her into his flock.
As she matured, Lil’s sultry purple eyes and her love
for flowers earned her the nickname “Lavender.” Her
talent for storytelling matured alongside her looks, and
rumors circulated that her grandfather was Varisian and
her grandmother was a devil-woman. While Lil had no
strenuous objections to working as a prostitute, she missed
the freedom of life on the streets. Her dreams never grew
grand enough to imagine life as a noble
lady, a brave adventurer, or even a
wife or mother. All Lil wanted was
the freedom to claim her own life
and to manage it, for ill or good.
After 2 years working as a
prostitute, Lil realized she was
changing in ways she’d never
30
anticipated. She woke with energy seeming to crackle
in her mind. The stories she told the other prostitutes
carried more weight than usual—sometimes enough
to influence thought and behavior. Lil hid these
developments, practicing in secret until she better
understood her power. When she felt she’d mastered her
new abilities, she used them to distract her pimp and
escape from his employ.
A brief war ensued between Lil and her old master, who
sought to recapture and punish her as an example to the
other workers. Yet Lil had planned her escape well, though,
and after several unsuccessful assaults, her former pimp
finally found himself in the water with a particularly foul-
tempered bunyip. After watching the vile man be eaten by
the creature, Lil was her own mistress once again.
For the next few years, Lil continued to work as an
independent prostitute. Several other women of her
occupation used her as an inspiration and broke free of
their own shackles. Some tried to follow her, only to find
themselves gently but firmly rebuffed. Lil had no desire to
lead or to follow. She wished only to be left alone to conduct
her business. Her independence, her beauty, and her talent
left her with no dearth of clients, and the level-headed way
in which she conducted business left her living in
comfort with a tidy sum hidden away for emergencies.
At the beginning of her independent career, Lil
purchased several love potions to ensure a core of
faithful clients. She soon abandoned that strategy,
though, when she found ensorcelled lovers too difficult
and time consuming to manage. She did, however, forge
a lasting relationship with Falk Zincher, the alchemist
who provided the potions. Lil used an array of poisons
and potions to ensure her security, and Falk acted as a
supplier and confidante.
Recently, one of Lil’s new clients, a mercenary named
Orik Vancaskerkin, fell under the charming tiefling’s
influence and grew madly infatuated with her. Desperate to
break through Lil’s businesslike reserve and into her heart,
Orik sought out an alchemist to brew him a love potion. As
luck had it, he found his way to Falk Zincher.
Falk quickly intuited the target of Orik’s affections from
the man’s lovesick ramblings, and he substituted some
cheap ale laced with lavender for a true love potion. Orik
returned to Lil’s boudoir and slipped the “potion” into her
drink. Lil noticed the scent of lavender in her cup and Orik’s
hungry stare, and deduced that Falk was somehow involved;
the alchemist often scented her purchases with lavender as
a subtle tribute to their friendship. She acted the part of an
infatuated paramour with Orik long enough to satisfy him,
then promised to meet him the next night and sent him on
his way. After a brief consultation with Falk, Lil decided to
play her lovestruck role long enough to make it worth her
while, and to punish Orik for trying such a trick.

For a week, Lil carried on her false romance with
Orik, and through subtle questions and bardic trickery,
she learned the location of Orik’s savings. While Lil
entertained Orik in her bedroom, Falk broke into Orik’s
lodgings and robbed him blind. When Orik returned
home and discovered the theft, he let out a yell loud
enough to wake the entire building. He rushed back to
Lil’s but found her door locked and bearing a note from
Lil ordering him to leave her alone.
Unable to retaliate against Lil (despite her role in the
treachery, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her), Orik instead
turned his rage on Falk. He confronted the alchemist, words
came to blows, and before he realized what had happened,
Falk lay dead on the floor of his own shop. Orik panicked,
knowing that Falk was the brother of a powerful local
crimelord, Clegg Zincher, and he fled Riddleport without
even taking the time to reclaim his money.
When news of Falk’s murder reached Clegg’s ears, the
elder Zincher flew into a rage. He turned all his resources
to tracking down those responsible for the crime, and when
he hit a dead end with Orik, he turned his anger against
Orik’s father, Saul Vancaskerkin, and against the woman
he felt was responsible for the whole situation—Lil.
After barely surviving an attack from a group of Clegg’s
thugs, Lil realized how desperate her situation was and did
something she’d hoped she’d never have to do: she turned
to another for protection. However, she sought asylum not
under a pimp, but within the walls of Riddleport’s church
of Calistria. High priestess Shorafa Pamodae took pity on
Lil (perhaps as a result of their shared heritage), and for the
past year she has protected Lil from Zincher’s retaliation.
In that year, Lil has become a rather devout follower of
Calistria, yet she has begun to chafe at having to disguise
herself before going out and hopes to some day soon settle
her ongoing conflict with Clegg Zincher.
Appearance
Lil’s glimmering purple eyes are famous in Riddleport.
Although some find her exotic appearance frightening,
Lil possesses grace and personal magnetism uncommon
in those of fiendish ancestry. Her coal-black hair
contrasts sharply with her pale skin, and her heavy
curls overshadow her delicate features. Two small horns
curve from her temples. Lil favors the flower for which
she is named, and she usually wears a sprig of lavender
somewhere on her person.
Development
Lil makes all her decisions with survival and independence
foremost in her mind. She frequently casts detect thoughts on
her clients, but never uses the information for blackmail.
If word got out that she used such tactics, she’d find herself
out of business. Instead, she hoards the information and
Persona
brings it out only to protect herself. Some who threaten Lil
find their own secrets threatened in return, and cut all ties
with the prostitute rather than risk exposure.
Lavender Lil CR 7
Female tiefling bard 6
CN Medium outsider (native)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Listen +1, Spot +1
Defense
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 14
(+3 armor, +1 deflection, +2 Dex)
hp 35 (6d6+12)
Resist cold 5, electricity 5, fire 5
Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +6
Offense
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee masterwork bladed scarf +7 (1d6–1/19–20) or
masterwork dagger +7 (1d4-1/19–20 plus poison)
Spells Known (CL 6th, +6 ranged touch)
2nd (3/day)—detect thoughts (DC 14), invisibility, sound burst (DC 14)
1st (4/day)—animate rope, expeditious retreat, grease (DC 13), identify
0 (3/day)—dancing lights, daze (DC 12), lullaby (DC 12), mending,
prestidigitation, resistance
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)
1/day—darkness
Special Attacks bardic music 6/day (countersong, fascinate, inspire
courage +1, inspire competence, suggestion)
Tactics
Before Combat Lil is by no means a seasoned fighter, and she
prefers to exit combats as quickly as possible. When in her
boudoir, she keeps a bladed scarf draped nearby in case of an
emergency. On the street, she carries a poisoned dagger. She
keeps a long scarf on her person and in her chamber so she can
utilize her animate rope spell.
During Combat Lil relies heavily on poison in combat, knowing
that her skill rarely matches that of her enemies. She tries first
to flee, second to fight, and last to bargain, either with money
or her charms.
Statistics
Str 8, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +4; Grp +3
Feats Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bladed scarf ), Still Spell,
Weapon Finesse
Skills Appraise +11, Bluff +13, Diplomacy +15, Gather Information
+13, Hide +4, Knowledge (local) +11, Perform (oratory) +11,
Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +13
Languages Common, Elven, Infernal, Varisian
SQ bardic knowledge +8
Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of delay
poison; Other Gear +1 glamered leather armor, masterwork
bladed scarf, masterwork dagger, ring of protection +1, vial of
small centipede poison (2), vial of Riddleport tea, vial of indigo
dreams (2)
31
 COMPANION

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of one of Golarion’s most ancient and primeval forests.
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of Garund, from the briny towers of by Hal Maclean
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OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the
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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document. Copyright 2000. Wizards of the Coast, Inc; Authors Jonathan Tweet,
Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Pathfinder Companion: Second Darkness Player’s Guide, Copyright 2008, Paizo Publishing, LLC;
Authors James Jacobs, F. Wesley Schneider, Amber Scott, Greg A. Vaughan.

32
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 Dark Days in Riddleport
The city of Riddleport is no place for the naive. Founded by pirates and ruled
by criminals, Varisia’s most lawless city chews up the weak and foolhardy.
In other words, it’s a perfect home for adventurers! Take the first step into
Riddleport, the starting city for Pathfinder’s Second Darkness Adventure
Path. The information contained herein gives players the edge they need
to face this deadly quest, with new rules, details on making campaign-
specific characters, and background information no adventurer should
be without. Even if you aren’t playing the Second Darkness Adventure
Path, this booklet is filled with all new spells, magic items, and character
options perfect for any game.

Inside this Pathfinder Companion, you’ll find:

• Details and roles for every character race and
class, specifically tied to Pathfinder’s Second
Darkness Adventure Path but usable in
any campaign!
• Riddleport’s gazetteer, including everything
you need to know about its government,
prominent locations, important characters,
Riddleport slang, and more!
• Character Traits and special features that
instantly tie characters into the campaign and
grant benefits to aid in adventures to come!
• New spells, new magic items, new feats, and a
new prestige class!
• Full-color maps of Varisia and Riddleport,
the City of Cyphers!

Printed in China. PZO9401

Second Darkness
paizo.com/pathfinder